I wanted to share these snowdrops with you. Over the few days more and more of these beauties have been appearing.
I always look out for them each new year. My Grandparents would always look for the first snowdrops of the year, and as a farmer who was always out first thing every morning Gramps would usually spot them first and pick a few to bring into the farmhouse to show Gran as evidence that spring was on the way.
What I find most intriguing about snowdrops is how fragile they look. How easily they can be trampled, how vulnerable their drooping blooms appear.
Yet, they are among the first flowers of the year and despite their fragile appearance, on the inside they are strong and able to withstand the cold weather and harsh winds of winter.
In 2 Corinthians 12 Paul has been writing to the Church in Corinth about his ‘thorn in the flesh’, something that is tormenting Paul, and makes him feel weak.
We don’t know what – probably not an actual thorn, maybe some sort of health issue, or something about his character he doesn’t like.
Whatever it is, Paul has pleaded with God to have rid of this thorn.
Yet God says:
“My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” 1 Cor 12:
2 Corinthians 12:9
Paul discovers that in weakness, God’s power and strength are made perfect.
I would quite like God to get rid of the thorn that is coronavirus. I’m wearied by the constant challenge of living within restrictions, the sometimes heavy burden of responsibility I feel and bear with others, the vulnerability and fragility of life that this virus takes advantage of.
Yet through these snowdrops God has reminded me that things are not always as they appear. While things make appear fragile and weak and vulnerable, inside God’s power and strength is made perfect.
While the darkness of this winter may still bear heavily upon us, spring is coming, and hope is with us – because through acceptance of our vulnerability, God’s power and strength is made perfect.
May you know the hope and strength of God in your life today.
Reflect
What do you find is a thorn in your flesh?
Where do you feel weak or vulnerable today?
Pray, and ask God to help you know his strength and power being made perfect in you.
Rev Dan Balsdon's Blog 
Wonderful Post 👍
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Snowdrops always remind me of my mum. We used to take her into Shropshire to see the snowdrops at a NT hall near Shrewsbury when she came to stay in early Feb. She was in her 80’s when Dad died and she had problems with her health, but she soldiered on and was a tower of strength for all of us until she died 10 years later. I still miss her. She was as fragile as those snowdrops she loved so much but also as strong! One of life’s paradoxes that God uses to keep us all on our toes! So it’s not so hard to believe in hope…..
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