Driving home once, A Gardener noticed a beautiful sunset. The most beautiful red-orange glow accompanied the setting star, leaving a presence long after the Sun was below the valley walls.
And while that glimpse of beauty brought an immaculate joy to A Gardener, a deep sadness also came when the glow faded. The warmth of day was replaced by the chill of night and the path A Gardner was traveling became harder to see and even harder to follow.
A Gardner felt alone, isolated and abandoned.
And when all hope was thought to be lost, A Gardener was reminded of an elementary level earth science lesson, and A Gardener sought out the moon.
And there it was, the moon.
Large and full.
Glowing bright.
A comforting reflection of the Sun.
A memory of the warmth.
A glimpse of the light.
A mirror of the promise.
And A Gardener knew that the night was necessary.
For when A Gardener wanted more than anything to be greeted by the kiss of the Sun, a splash of warmth on the face and the bright comfort of day; the realization came that A Gardener would have to wait patiently and faithfully through the night.
James 1:2-4 says,
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (NIV)
