Grow In The Hard Places

This caught my eye the other day. I had to stop. I had to snap a photo. The tenacity of this flower demanded respect.

Despite the misfortune of being stuck between a rock and a hard place, this flower chose to grow. It was certainly in an unfavorable environment. The odds were stacked against it. It should have failed. It should have wilted. Yet, against all odds, it thrived. It took the best of what was available, worked around the obstacles, and grew into something beautiful.

I love things like this. They are reminders to stop and reflect. They are messages of hope. If a flower can grow and thrive in the unlikeliest and most hostile of places, so can we. We can be thankful for what we do have. We can persevere despite obstacles. And yes, we can flourish in the rockiest of situations.

That little seed sought the light when it was trapped beneath those rocks. It searched for a glimmer of light, rejoiced when it found one, and reached for the sun. Friends, we are the same. Seeking and recognizing the light when we are surrounded by darkness and difficulty is the difference between helplessness and hope. When we are between a rock and a hard place, we can also seek the light. When we do, and when we reach for the Son, that is where we grow - even in the hard places.