Earlier tonight we had a thunderstorm. It was loud and dramatic and spectacular - as thunderstorms tend to be - and the rain poured fast and furious for almost an hour.
Since we’re currently being pummeled by pollen, we were excited that the rain would probably bring some relief from the allergy onslaught we’ve experienced for the last couple of weeks.
But I’m here to tell you: that’s not all it did.
Because a few minutes ago I took the dogs outside for their final trip of the night, and when I opened the back door, I couldn’t believe my eyes.
Late this afternoon this tree was covered in buds. And after the rain, it burst into full bloom.
Even in the darkness.
And I’m reminded that some of the most beautiful transformations take place during some of the darkest times.
Be encouraged, y’all.
chrissy says:
Yes, thank you, that is a beautiful sight to see. Praise God.
March 30th, 2008 at 12:15 am
Becky (FrumpMama) says:
I am encouraged by that. Beautiful! (Looks a little like your blog header…)
March 30th, 2008 at 12:23 am
The Pumkin Patch says:
Wonderful and Inspiring Post!!! Beautiful!
March 30th, 2008 at 12:27 am
LeeAnn (AKA Frazzmom) says:
Amazing!
March 30th, 2008 at 12:29 am
Carol ~ I Throw Like A Girl says:
Could you send some of those blooms a little farther north for us late bloomers in the Northeast?!
March 30th, 2008 at 12:40 am
Diane J. says:
What a great analogy, Sophie! And a lovely picture as well. :-)
Love and hugs,
Diane
March 30th, 2008 at 1:05 am
Megan(FriedOkra) says:
OH, THE HOMESICKNESS! *weep weep*
March 30th, 2008 at 3:11 am
Liza's Eyeview says:
“And I’m reminded that some of the most beautiful transformations take place during some of the darkest times.”
Amen, Boomama, Amen :)
March 30th, 2008 at 4:33 am
Liz says:
looky! they match your blog header! great photo, and I looked outside yesterday and saw the old ugly bush next to my house has some green on it. Thank you Jesus for spring! :)
March 30th, 2008 at 5:11 am
chocolatechic says:
Amen and amen.
PS. I am having difficulty getting to your blog. Every day for the last 3 or 4, it takes me 2-3 tries to get to your site.
March 30th, 2008 at 6:08 am
Linda Sue says:
Oh thank you - I am having a bit of a dark spot right here in my soul right now and the blossoms in the dark were perfect. Bless you, BooMaMa Sophie (and see you ARE a flower of the South - appropos the Shlog discussion!)
March 30th, 2008 at 6:12 am
Kelly says:
Love this!
March 30th, 2008 at 6:17 am
Teresa says:
Amen! Good Word!
March 30th, 2008 at 6:21 am
Muddy says:
Pretty-and Amen!
March 30th, 2008 at 7:07 am
Nancy says:
Love this! Short & sweet and, oh, so true.
March 30th, 2008 at 7:20 am
Cindy says:
Beautiful picture and thought. Tks.
March 30th, 2008 at 7:23 am
Bev says:
We had the same experience this morning as we awoke after a night of rain to a blooming dogwood tree in the backyard. We buried our 13 year old yellow lab under this tree three years ago and it always comforts my heart to see the tree start to bud.
Spring has Sprung!
March 30th, 2008 at 7:24 am
pam says:
Wow! Sophie, this just hit me like a slug in the gut, in the very best way, of course. After what DP and I have been goin’ through the past 10 days, the truth of this short, sweet message rings ever true for me this morning.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
March 30th, 2008 at 7:25 am
Mary B says:
Thank you for the reminder in many ways that spring is just around corner :) God is good!
March 30th, 2008 at 7:29 am
Sarah says:
So true about transformations taking place in the dark times! We’re still trying to get the snow melted…bring on the allergies!!!
March 30th, 2008 at 7:40 am
Angie says:
I am weeping. I have read your blog for months now, and I can lurk no longer! Thank you for this. God is so good. My family and I have traveled a long, dark road, and I needed this encouragement and reminder this morning. He has a plan and a purpose, and it is beautiful.
Thank you.
March 30th, 2008 at 7:44 am
Kellie says:
Oh how i miss that places that “bloom”!
Thanks for the encouragement!
March 30th, 2008 at 8:11 am
Tammy H says:
Amen! A great way to start my Sunday (and I’m rushing outside to check my dogwoods!!)
March 30th, 2008 at 8:12 am
Missy says:
Thanks so much. What a beautiful word. And what I would give to see flowers (live in person). The only white thing we have around here is snow. Please Lord, no more snow!
March 30th, 2008 at 8:13 am
Cindy says:
Precious words to me today. Why do you want to go and make me cry in the morning like that?
March 30th, 2008 at 8:14 am
Laurel says:
Thank you! What a wonderful reminder.
March 30th, 2008 at 8:25 am
Kelly @ Love Well says:
I love how God has placed object lessons of His love and faithfulness all around us.
Flowers blossoming in the dark. What a delight He is.
March 30th, 2008 at 8:26 am
Dnksmommy/ Lorrie says:
Wow… what an absolutely GORGEOUS presentation of His love for us.
That is a lovely illustration. Must remember it.
And i love the picture.
Have a beautiful and blessed day Boo Mama!!
March 30th, 2008 at 9:00 am
Rebecca says:
Awesome!
March 30th, 2008 at 9:27 am
Amy Beth @ Ministry So Fabulous! says:
Um, I do believe we just got ourselves a FRESH WORD at BooMama’s parsonage this morning! Can I get an amen?!?!
March 30th, 2008 at 9:30 am
Whitney says:
Sweet Boo - be enacouraged knowing that God is using you to speak to broken hearts. God has been so sweet to me for the last few days in particular. I’m in the process of ending a very unhealthy 6 year relationship and today happens to be the day I finally get to tie up the last of the loose ends. God is setting me free little by little and I lift up my hands to praise the lifter of my head. I am so grateful to have a visual to put with my spiritual journey - blossoming in the darkness. Thank you for loving Him so much and sharing that love with us.
March 30th, 2008 at 10:21 am
Stephanie says:
I love that you were open to this so you could share it with the rest of us.
March 30th, 2008 at 10:56 am
Kelley says:
Thank you for sharing the story, the photo, and the insight. Definitely a lot of truth & beauty in the words you wrote and the photo you took.
I had just read the post about DD coffee, so I went from laughing out loud to unexpected tears. (”Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion!”)
This profound post really took me by surprise. And that’s one of the many reasons I come back to visit your sweet blawg day after day. So I can expect the unexpected.
March 30th, 2008 at 11:53 am
Kelly Anne says:
I have printed this post and will hang it on my refrigerator. You have no idea how much I needed it today. Tomorrow morning, my beautiful, first born son (14) will start at an outpatient mental health facility for 6 weeks. My heart is broken, but I can’t even begin to process how I feel because I want to be strong for him and the rest of my family. Thank you for your words…you often make me laugh and brighten my day, but today you gave me something more.
March 30th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
Susan H says:
Oh Boo…. your post spoke to my heart today at a time when I needed it. Bless you and our God who led you to share it with us.
March 30th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
Kristen M. says:
A beautiful sight indeed.
March 30th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Jenny says:
Beautiful!
I love loud and dramatic thunderstorms. The storms of life, not so much, but you make a good point about the transformation that comes from those.
March 30th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Crazy Daisy says:
beautiful!
March 30th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Michelle Bentham says:
AMEN!
March 30th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
Renna says:
We, too, were pummeled by thunderstorms last night; or so I’m told by my son. I wouldn’t know, having slept soundly through it all. I also wouldn’t know, in light of no cessation whatsoever of these horrid spring allergies.
That said, I love your post today. What an awesome analogy of the workings of God!
March 30th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
Headless Mom says:
God has a way of showing us that there is light in the darkness.
Thank you for sharing His reminder for you, with all of us!
March 30th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Cathy says:
That writing today? Clearly a breathtaking gift God has placed in your heart. Thanks for being obedient to the Gift-giver and sharing it with us.
March 30th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
life with the wisners says:
to say that your post was just what i needed this morning would be such an understatement. thank you. God used you in a big and powerful way. again, thank you.
March 30th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
JD says:
Beautiful observation…thanks for sharing this.
March 30th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
Amanda says:
Beautiful!
March 30th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
faith says:
Thank you for this beautiful reminder! I needed it!
March 30th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Charity says:
Oh, thank you for this!!! I am in some “dark” places right now, and this is just beautiful. Thank you.
March 30th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Cindy says:
Amen!
March 30th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Leslie (snaphappyinkymomma) says:
A beautiful photo and a beautiful post.
March 30th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
groovyoldlady says:
As we say in Maine, “Ayuh.”
March 30th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
PJ says:
When God does it, it’s done right!! Beautiful blossoms! Great Pic, too! I’m soooooo yearning for Spring and blossoms around here!
March 30th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Cynthia says:
I needed your reminder. I’m struggling. Some really difficult things have happened with the daughter I encouraged you to visit to get your hair done a while back. It’s been dark…and hard. Still is right now. I’m trusting that He is working. I just can’t see it.
Thanks again!
March 30th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Linds says:
Beautiful blossoms and very beautiful words!
March 30th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
ter says:
Beautiful!!
March 30th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
Janet says:
Beautiful thoughts.
Beautiful picture.
March 30th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Melissa says:
Wow! That’s amazing! That picture is soo pretty!
March 30th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
Dana says:
AMEN! What a cool picture…thanks for the reminder of God’s faithfulness. Blessings -
Dana
March 30th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
Connie says:
Beautiful…thanks for sharing.
March 30th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
Melanie says:
Beautiful. Great photo, BTW.
March 30th, 2008 at 7:07 pm
Nancy says:
That’s a dogwood isn’t it?? Very beautiful..
March 30th, 2008 at 7:51 pm
amy says:
well said Boo!
March 30th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
Fran says:
Amen and amen!! He just did that last week in my life…transformations during the darkness….oh, yes He does!!
March 30th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
Melissa May says:
I love that you took the picture when it was still night… It reminds me that even when we’re still in the dark we can find treasures to be thankful for if we ask for God’s light to help us see. He is SO good.
(And it does match your new layout so amazingly!) : )
March 30th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
Phyllis @ Aimless Conversation says:
fabulous…what a sweet word for all of us. thanks so much for sharing. =)
March 30th, 2008 at 9:19 pm
kimberly says:
And boy do I ever need to be encouraged, as Spring has eluded us here in Southeastern Idaho. Still frigid and windy. Snowed last week. Enough to make a girl cry her eyes out in longing for a bit of pollen and a blossom or two and some cute sandals! What a lovely photo you have here!
March 30th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
MoobeeMa says:
Oh, it must be so wonderful to live in the South! It’s still snowing here in Ory-gone.
March 30th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
Donna says:
Profound, Boo!!!! Good words. Thanks for sharing.
March 30th, 2008 at 9:57 pm
Darlene says:
Awesome post!
March 30th, 2008 at 10:00 pm
Maria says:
Thanks for the beautiful reminder that God is indeed at work in this rough patch!
March 30th, 2008 at 10:24 pm
Rebekah says:
Beautiful. Just beautiful!
March 30th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
Krista says:
What an awesome message… and what an incredibly beautiful picture. I am in AWE! :)
March 30th, 2008 at 10:54 pm
Ashleigh (Heart and Home) says:
Thanks so much, sweet Sophie… what perfect encouragement.
March 31st, 2008 at 1:03 am
Scratchin' the Surface says:
Dogwoods - I long for them. We should have planted them 10 years ago, and by golly I’m going to when we move if there isn’t a pink and a white one on our property. But beyond dogwoods, love the message here. Bursting forth after a storm.
March 31st, 2008 at 7:22 am
Happy Mommy says:
Beautifully said! And I love those dogwoods, we will be in bloom very soon I hope!
March 31st, 2008 at 8:02 am
Jenny says:
Thank you for this post, it was a reminder that I needed this morning.
March 31st, 2008 at 9:10 am
Kit says:
Sophie, that was so lovely. I’m up in the North, after many years in the South, and I miss those dogwoods oh so much. The trees are a long way from blooming up here, but the crocuses are just beginning to poke their lively green heads up from the earth. I’ve never appreciated the metaphor of life coming from death as much as I do living through these long winters.
He is risen indeed. Death has no victory. Thank God for how he loves us, even with his creation!
March 31st, 2008 at 9:18 am
Rebecca says:
What a beautiful, encouraging post.
March 31st, 2008 at 9:20 am
Chrissie says:
They’re so pretty, they’re unreal! and it’s so fun how they match your header!VBS
God bless your week, dear friend!
Chrissie
March 31st, 2008 at 9:39 am
Katrina (Callapidder Days) says:
Beautiful blossoms, and a beautiful metaphor. Our family is in the middle of some darkness right now, and you’ve encouraged me to watch for the beauty.
March 31st, 2008 at 9:43 am
terri says:
What a great reminder.
I needed that this morning. :)
March 31st, 2008 at 9:44 am
Janel says:
Simply beautiful. A great reminder.
Thank you!
March 31st, 2008 at 11:21 am
Natalie Witcher says:
We had some monsters roll through here too. Come to find out I slept thru the tonado sirens..hmm, that can’t be good.
Isaiah say that God will give us treasures in darkness. Riches stored in secret places. I like that thought
March 31st, 2008 at 11:24 am
Gretchen says:
Not only is it cool that you took the time to notice this; it’s so sweet that you shared. Blessings on your week.
xxxooogretchen
March 31st, 2008 at 11:38 am
Jill says:
God does some amazing work for us all. What a wonderful post!
March 31st, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Jane B says:
Sophie, your words are so true. Thank you for reminding me!
March 31st, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Shalee says:
Amen and amen.
March 31st, 2008 at 2:50 pm
Chelle' says:
Awesome Awesome Awesome post!!! That was so short and to the point and yet- it was so GOD!!!
Thank you so much for that.
In the event you weren’t sure what I thought about it…
I LOVED IT! (wink-wink)
March 31st, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Amy says:
WOW.
Beautiful! Thank you!
March 31st, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Beth says:
Awesome….
March 31st, 2008 at 5:32 pm
Mostly Sunny says:
Bee-you-tee-ful! C’mon, spring!
March 31st, 2008 at 6:41 pm
Minnesotamom says:
Gorgeous!
What is this “thunder” of which you speak?
March 31st, 2008 at 7:23 pm
Runningamuck says:
Wow. You got me all verklemped this morning! I was admiring the photo and reading your post about it when I got to those last two lines and all of a sudden I totally choked up! I think I need more coffee. But thanks for a very touching reminder. =0)
April 1st, 2008 at 9:55 am
Taylor says:
That made my day…a ray of light in this seemingly dark season. Waiting and not knowing equals dark, but He is Light and IN HIM is no darkness at all. When it really seems dark, it takes faith to see the Light…He is there. He will never leave us. I love Him so. Thank you for this perfect reminder–blossoms in the dark, after the rain.
April 1st, 2008 at 5:11 pm
Deneen says:
“And I’m reminded that some of the most beautiful transformations take place during some of the darkest times.”
Thank you for the reminder…it was needed tremendously today.
April 1st, 2008 at 6:35 pm