He Makes All Things Beautiful.

I keep a small jelly jar of fresh flowers above my kitchen sink. Next to it is a small eraser (a gift from Jewel) that says: Jesus Loves Me.

As I wash the daily dishes, scrub the crusted-over casserole pans and load the dishwasher I like to look at these flowers and remember that God makes all things beautiful in His time (Ecc. 3:11). I think the most important part of that verse is: in His time.

Boy, I would sure like it if God answered all my prayers on my time line! Many times in my life I have honestly believed God's answer was long overdue. To my sinkful of dishes, I would like to say: IN THE NAME OF JESUS, DISHES BE WASHED! Alas, that's not how God works.

But there is a more difficult kind of work than washing dishes. Waiting. Waiting is a difficult kind of work, especially for Type A persons like myself who would like prayers answered yesterday, results chop-chop.

I have friends (and perhaps readers, too?) who are going through the pain of waiting. Waiting for a promise to be fulfilled, waiting for a loved one to repent, waiting for the birth of a baby, waiting to get pregnant, waiting for a spouse to get a job.

Sometimes, in the midst of waiting we can get discouraged and wonder if Jesus has abandoned us. Will He keep His promises? How long, O Lord, how long?

That is why I keep flowers on the windowsill above my kitchen sink. See, I need lots of visible reminders that Jesus loves me and that He is with me, right there in my work and in my waiting.

As I wash the dishes, I look out into my garden. There is a pink rose bush in my direct line of sight. I never noticed this rose bush until the past week when it started blooming. With delight I have watched the roses unfurl. Yesterday, I took pictures.

As a gift to all my friends who are in the trial of waiting, I dedicate this picture of a rose from my garden. Jesus sees you. He loves you.

He makes all things beautiful in His time. (Ecc. 3:11)