This morning my garden looked beautiful – full of promise. Japanese irises, discovered at a community plant sale last spring, unfurled in a show of purple. I bought five clusters, but only two have rooted deeply enough to bloom this summer.

Roots: living things that must push hard in a dark place. Unseen and unappreciated, they give life to the whole plant. There are no blossoms without deep, healthy roots.

I’ve thought a lot about abiding and blooming recently. Jesus invites us to abide in Him. To stay close. Anchored. Rooted. Those who do will bear fruit. Not always – maybe not immediately – but eventually.

“Blessed is the one whose delight is in the law of the LORD and on His law [she] meditates day and night. She will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season.” – Psalm 1:1-3

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5