Blooming Grace
By Ryan Dawson
As the days grow longer, the trees burst their leaves, and flowers bloom, I can’t help but feel a sense of hope return with the arrival of Spring. This past Monday, I spent my day off, working in our gardens with Vanessa. I'm always amazed at how these plants come back to life with quiet determination—perennials stretching upward, blooms emerging from the ground as if they never left. And each year, this simple miracle reminds me of God’s goodness and His commitment to our growth.
After a long winter, sometimes both in weather and in spirit, its’ easy to feel like we have lost something—momentum, joy, or even a sense of purpose. But just like these flowers that reappear without fail, God whispers to us that He’s not finished with us. His mercy still flows, His grace still surrounds us. Jeremiah reminds us...
“The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.”Lamentations 3:22–23 (NLT)
This verse hits me different in the Spring. I look at the daffodils swaying in the breeze and I think, “That’s what new mercy looks like.” I may have messed up yesterday. I may be in a season of waiting or recovery but God’s mercy meets me fresh today.
And what I’ve come to understand is that growth isn’t always about what’s visible. Sometimes, like those perennials buried deep in the soil through the coldest months, God has been strengthening our roots, even when nothing is happening on the surface. The Apostle Paul reminds us...
“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”
Philippians 1:6 (NLT)
We need to hold unto this promise—I need to hold on to this promise. Some days we feel stuck or discouraged. But God hasn’t given up on us. He’s still working—still planting, still watering, still pruning. And when we pause long enough to notice, we realize that we are growing—even if it’s slow, even if it’s unseen.
Gardening has also taught me patience. Not every seed blooms immediately. Some take time, some need the right conditions. That’s true in our lives as well. We don’t always understand why God allows certain seasons, but we can trust that He has a purpose in each one.
“For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NLT)
And Spring shows us that no season lasts forever. That barren doesn’t mean broken. That dormant doesn’t mean dead. I see how God brings things back to life—not just in nature, but in me, and in us. God is our Good Gardener who doesn’t give up. He doesn’t abandon His work when it’s messy. He draws us close, gently guiding and restoring us.
“The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.” Isaiah 58:11 (NLT)
That image stays with me. A well-watered garden. I want my life to reflect that kind of peace and fruitfulness. And I know it only comes by staying close to Jesus. The Lord Himself reminds us...
“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5 (NLT)
So when you walk through the garden, smell the scent of flowers, or pass a blooming tree on the sidewalk, let it speak to your heart. Let it remind you that you are still growing, and God is still working, and new life is always possible. And may the grace of God bloom in your heart today!
Blessings, Ryan
As the days grow longer, the trees burst their leaves, and flowers bloom, I can’t help but feel a sense of hope return with the arrival of Spring. This past Monday, I spent my day off, working in our gardens with Vanessa. I'm always amazed at how these plants come back to life with quiet determination—perennials stretching upward, blooms emerging from the ground as if they never left. And each year, this simple miracle reminds me of God’s goodness and His commitment to our growth.
After a long winter, sometimes both in weather and in spirit, its’ easy to feel like we have lost something—momentum, joy, or even a sense of purpose. But just like these flowers that reappear without fail, God whispers to us that He’s not finished with us. His mercy still flows, His grace still surrounds us. Jeremiah reminds us...
“The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.”Lamentations 3:22–23 (NLT)
This verse hits me different in the Spring. I look at the daffodils swaying in the breeze and I think, “That’s what new mercy looks like.” I may have messed up yesterday. I may be in a season of waiting or recovery but God’s mercy meets me fresh today.
And what I’ve come to understand is that growth isn’t always about what’s visible. Sometimes, like those perennials buried deep in the soil through the coldest months, God has been strengthening our roots, even when nothing is happening on the surface. The Apostle Paul reminds us...
“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”
Philippians 1:6 (NLT)
We need to hold unto this promise—I need to hold on to this promise. Some days we feel stuck or discouraged. But God hasn’t given up on us. He’s still working—still planting, still watering, still pruning. And when we pause long enough to notice, we realize that we are growing—even if it’s slow, even if it’s unseen.
Gardening has also taught me patience. Not every seed blooms immediately. Some take time, some need the right conditions. That’s true in our lives as well. We don’t always understand why God allows certain seasons, but we can trust that He has a purpose in each one.
“For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NLT)
And Spring shows us that no season lasts forever. That barren doesn’t mean broken. That dormant doesn’t mean dead. I see how God brings things back to life—not just in nature, but in me, and in us. God is our Good Gardener who doesn’t give up. He doesn’t abandon His work when it’s messy. He draws us close, gently guiding and restoring us.
“The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.” Isaiah 58:11 (NLT)
That image stays with me. A well-watered garden. I want my life to reflect that kind of peace and fruitfulness. And I know it only comes by staying close to Jesus. The Lord Himself reminds us...
“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5 (NLT)
So when you walk through the garden, smell the scent of flowers, or pass a blooming tree on the sidewalk, let it speak to your heart. Let it remind you that you are still growing, and God is still working, and new life is always possible. And may the grace of God bloom in your heart today!
Blessings, Ryan