The leaves in early spring.

Here I am! Come see me!

The delicate Resurrection Lily

Aug. 18, 2014

John 11:25

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will live, even though they die.”

As soon as the snow melts and there are a few warm signs of spring, I begin to poke around in my flower beds looking for shoots. The first ones I see are from a plant called Resurrection Lilies. Some people call them Surprise Lilies or Naked Ladies. Here’s why.

In early spring, long, wide leaves form a leave mound. The leaves are about one foot long and have round tips. They are green for quite a while. Then one day, usually in early June, they begin to die off. Just as the other flowers in my beds are becoming vibrant shades of green, the Resurrection Lily leaves look like it is fall. Or going through a drought. I yank them out of the bed. And wait.

And wait. And wait. Then, in early August, new shoots sprout up. Almost overnight, the shoots get a couple of feet tall. In short order, beautiful pale pink lilies appear. They bloom for about 10 days. Interestingly, when the flowers bloom, their stem is completely naked; why some people call them Naked Ladies.

Last week, the Resurrection Lilies in my beds were beau-ti-ful! And I mean beau-ti-ful! They were so stunning that Rick asked me if I had planted more of them. They are a bulb and reproduce and multiply themselves without me having to bury more.

While these lilies are called a variety of names, I prefer the term Resurrection Lily. Simply because they remind me of what happened to Jesus. As God’s Son, he came to earth. He bloomed where he was planted. Helped people grow in faith. He multiplied fishes and loaves to “feed” the people. Just when things seemingly were going good, he was yanked from society, condemned to die and endured a horrific death. His body was laid in a borrowed tomb. After waiting three very long days, some women went to his tomb and discovered his body was gone! While Mary was still in the garden, Jesus came to her and flowered her with the wonderful news that he was not really dead but very much alive.

Unfortunately, the Resurrection Lilies are nearing the end of their life cycle this year. But I have complete hope they will be back next year; once again reminding me of this very special story. A story that never grows old.

Lord God, we often encourage each other to “bloom where we are planted.” And this is exactly what the Resurrection Lilies do. Just as these beautiful plants go through a specific life cycle, encourage us to think of our life cycles and how various stages happen. May we go forth and allow ourselves to bloom where we too have been planted. Amen.

Blessings –

Dianne

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