PROMISES

Let me get this out of my system. I’ve tried to give 2020 the benefit of the doubt. But it’s time to go back to the drawing board. This is not rocket science. Too many people are bent out of shape. To make matters worse, I can’t wrap my head around the fact, I guess I’m going to just have to bite the bullet and vote for…

Idioms. I said idioms, not idiots. Those quirky literary devices commonly used all over the world, that only have meaning in a unique cultural experience. If I needed to get something out of my system in Japan, I may find myself with a potent herbal tea and an unpleasant belly ache. Each culture has an expression denoting the need to vent frustration, but the phraseology will be extremely different. In the physical classroom over the years, I had great fun illustrating how easily and quickly communication can go awry when idioms are involved, and the people participating may or may not understand the subtlety of the turn of phrase. I am sure you do not have to think very hard to probe your own memory to uncover where a communication mishap occurred simply due to a partner misunderstanding a misplaced idiom.

With all that said, I pulled eight random idioms from a website to begin this blog, but how easily did they slide together? The whole exercise took approximately eight seconds. And to be honest, that is about how much time many people allow before taking the bait and replying to a social media post or a family member’s comment and off to the races goes the conversation - or rather the argument. I wonder how many friendships and family relationships have been literally lit on fire during this election cycle? And why does a person become so incredibly passionate about his/her candidates?

Promises…

During every political season, candidates make promises. But let’s be honest. I used to make a lot of promises too when my kids were young that I never had any intent or actual ability to keep. I think about all those trips to various functions and the bribing and cajoling that took place to elicit the behavior I desired. I would create some outlandish scenarios to stave off ensuing meltdowns with no expectation of following through. My only goal was to have my child buy into my vision of the situation for that single moment. I would deal with any "miscommunication" later.

Judge me as you might, but honest moms know they have done the same, at least a few times, unless God did not bless them with a strong willed child. Maybe I have become politically cynical, but when I see all these ads with promise after promise after promise, I scratch my head. Isn’t that the same stuff that was promised four years ago, and four years before that, and four years before that? None of those promises ever seem to be fulfilled by any human politician...for the most part. So why do we find ourselves yet again ripping our family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors to shreds?

I have placed myself in a political bubble these last few weeks and dared anyone to try to pop it. Yes, I voted early, and I am sure someone will let me know when we have a new president, whenever that may be. But I am taking my life cues from Martha. Anyone who reads my blog regularly knows I have an unusual relationship with my plants, and Martha is my hibiscus. Martha’s life has been challenging to say the least, but her story is for another day.

When the weather turned cool a few weeks ago, I brought Martha indoors to my sunroom. Apparently, she forgot she is supposed to be dormant. Instead, she is looking from the inside out as if waiting expectantly for something good to arrive. Rather than folding up shop or getting bent out of shape, Martha is choosing to bloom where she’s planted. I couldn’t help but marvel at how patiently she keeps watch, even in her strange environment. With diminished warmth and sunshine, she forced out not one, but many beautiful red blooms. This girl’s not falling for empty promises. No simplistic platitudes or bogus rhetoric for her. She stands as a reminder of God’s promises to me.

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I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head and you will strike his heel. Genesis 3:15

(Yes, we had a snake issue once)

And God said,” This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all future generations: I have placed my bow in the clouds, and it will be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Genesis 9: 12 (Yes, she loves water)

He took him outside and said, “Look at the sky and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” Then he said to him, “Your offspring will be that numerous.” Abram believed the Lord and he credited it to him as righteousness. Genesis 15: 5-6

(She’s 10 years old now-I’ve lost track of the blooms)

I am now going the way of the whole earth, and you know with all your heart and all your soul that none of the good promises the Lord your God made to you has failed. Everything was fulfilled for you; not one promise has failed. Joshua 23:14

(Martha came back, even when I let her freeze)

Yet he himself bore our sicknesses and he carried our pains; but we in turn regarded him stricken, struck down by God and afflicted. But he was pierced because of our rebellion, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on him, and we are healed by his wounds. Isaiah 53:4-6 (The pruning she endures every year)

But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11 (New growth, every year, even after a hard cut back)

Then he took a cup and after giving thanks, he gave it to them and said, “Drink from it, all of you, For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” Matthew 26:27 (Always a faithful plant, fulfilling God’s purpose for her on this earth)

Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Don’t be faithless, but believe.” Thomas responded to him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said, “Because you have seen me, you have believed,” Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.” John 20:27-29 (Look at how red her blooms are - As red as the blood of my Savior)

The Lord does not delay his promises as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

(She blooms when she isn’t supposed too - even when she should be dormant)

Promises that never fail. They aren’t expressions different from culture to culture. They don’t nurture miscommunication. They don’t cause anxiety or fear. They don’t get thrown together randomly in eight seconds. They are a carefully woven masterpiece, designed by a loving heavenly father who cherished me enough to send his only Son to rescue me from empty promises so I can bloom wherever He plants me.