Today, as I pulled into our driveway coming back from visiting [husband] Paul in the hospital, in the place where dried dead leaves had gathered over the winter, I noticed beautiful purple flowers peeking through the leaves.

They were my phlox, suddenly coming to life.

When I left this morning they had not bloomed — and this afternoon, here they were in all their glory!

What a reminder! And I knew it was a sign for us all. I know it is a Promise of New Life from God here on Maundy Thursday.

We must never forget our New Covenant with the Father through the Body and Blood of Jesus.

Though you may feel buried beneath your addictions, lack, sickness, disease, or stress, know this Child of God: New Life will not be denied in your life.

SUDDENLY, it shall break forth!

“Beloved,
You feel your life
Is like last year’s dead leaves
that are still on the ground.

Brown, dry, crumbling
Blowing and swirling
in the harsh wind of winter.
In an endless circle
Left over from a season that is gone.

If you only looked at the ground,
you would think nothing was alive there.

You would think the winter season won.
You would think everything had died.
You would think the story was over.

But beneath the leaves,
where no one could see,
Life was waiting.

Roots were alive.
Being nurtured in the dark
New Life was preparing
in the cold
in the hidden place.

And then one day,
without announcement,
without permission from winter,
without asking the leaves to part
New Life suddenly bursts forth

Like little purple phlox
pushing through dead leaves
Like the Resurrection of the Son
Life coming out of death.

This is your God, Beloved.
You think some things in your life are dead.
You think some seasons are over.
You think some prayers were buried and forgotten.

But you are only seeing the dead leaves.
You are not seeing the roots.
I AM the God who brings Glorious Life
out of death and darkness.

I AM the God of Resurrection.
I AM the God of New Life.
I AM the God of New Seasons.

The disciples thought all hope was gone
That their Hope was buried in a tomb.
But on the Third Day
The King of Glory arose!

Death became Life.
Slaves became sons and daughters.
And sinners became kings and priests.

Yes, Dear One,

You are not meant to live defeated.
You are not meant to live ashamed.
You are not meant to live like an orphan.

You were born again into a Kingdom.
You were washed in covenant Blood.
You were adopted into a Royal Family.

You were given My Name.
You were given My Spirit.
You were given My Life.
I came to save you.
I came to restore you.

Watch, Beloved.
It is a New Season
I AM the Master of New Life
I AM the King of kings and Lord of lords.

It always seems darkest before the Dawn.

Life has come to rescue you.
Behold, I AM doing a New Thing.

I AM turning your mourning into dancing
I AM turning your sorrow into praise.

I will bind up the broken hearted
And set the captives free
It is the Year of the Lord’s Favor

I AM giving you a Crown of Beauty for ashes
The Oil of Joy for your mourning
And a garment of praise for a spirit of heaviness.

Rejoice, Beloved
I AM the Master of New Life.”

 

~ Deborah Waldron Fry

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Deborah Waldron Fry

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