Dear Church Family,
May first, and spring is in full bloom! The pools of pollen on our driveway give undeniable proof of the fact! A few days ago, I had to run an errand and the windshield was quite dusty, so I turned on the wipers to clear it off and a large cloud of yellow pollen rose over the front of the car. It had settled thickly on the wipers, and turning them on threw it into the air. I was glad I had taken my Clartin!
Pollen is one of those things that is absolutely necessary to the order of things, but for many, it can be a rather unpleasant trial. Despite that reality, I do not think there is anyone who would trade all the benefits and blessings that pollen produces just to escape the discomforts it may cause. Without the trial of dealing with that dust the world would be—well, fruitless and colorless.
We have to endure the trial of the pollen in order to enjoy the fruit of the trees and the bounty of the garden.
It is the same way with other trials. James says,
James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
The trial of your faith under the blessed hand of God produces the most beautiful and spiritually healthy fruit, making you and me perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
May our good God sanctify to you and me all the trials of this season for His glory, and may we be looking for the rich fruit He has promised from all the pollen that seems to irritate our lives.
At length the wish’d for spring has come;
How alter’d is the scene!
The trees and shrubs are drest in bloom,
The earth array’d in green.
I see my Saviour from on high,
Break through the clouds and shine;
No creature now more blest than I,
No song more loud than mine.
Thy word does all my hopes revive;
It overcomes my foes;
It makes my languid graces thrive,
And blossom like the rose.
Dear Lord, a monument.
I stand, Of what thy grace can do;
Uphold me by thy gracious hand,
Each changing season through.
