beauty in the gray

An old redbud across the street has flourished for many a spring. 

Its wispy splendor catches my breath.

We have two little redbuds in our own yard now; 

they bloom one after the other.

I think their beauty shines most brilliantly on a gray or rainy day.

The Gardener and I were to embark on a long journey last week that would

take us to the bottom of the continent of Africa.

Among other things, the Gardener was looking forward to showing

 me the most beautiful city in the world, according to him.

The plans were long made and I was starting to pack when 

the searing pain of inflammation attacked his low back and hip.

It got worse and worse to the point we questioned the wisdom

of long flights and airport layovers. We prayed for clear

guidance and it came. We canceled the trip. God granted us

the grace to accept the deep disappointment, and filled us with peace

and release from needing to know the answer to "why." 

Instead we received a series of small serendipities that would

not have been possible had we been away.

We looked at them as gifts.

Beauty can come out of difficulty.

Blossoms can shine on gray days.