For the past several years, I have begun to pray and seek God at the end of every year for a single word to frame the upcoming new year. A word and a Scripture to provide a framework and vision to build upon during that year. Each year since I started this, it has brought a powerful change in how I walk through my year, set goals, and pursue opportunities. When things get difficult, I have this promise to return to and be reminded of.
The word for 2020 was Expansion. And boy, was it fitting! Our family grew (quite unexpectedly) less than a week into January, as we said “yes” to our second foster son. Then within a few months we went from the “storming phase” of our new family situation to be plunged into the reality of a worldwide pandemic. In the days that followed, I was stretched physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. It was a year of being stretched and pushed far outside the bounds of my comfort zone with so many challenges and opportunities for growth, for grief, for forgiveness, and so many tests of faith.
In many ways, last year was like a wasteland. A barren desert of fractured dreams and waning hope. Last year I sat under the broom tree – weary, parched, lonely, discouraged, and watching my strength bleed out into the sand. And yet as bleak as it was, my Shepherd met me there. And He sustained me. And expansion happened. It wasn’t just the stretching of a rubber band, that once released from tension returns to its former state, but more the permanent stretch. Like the rippled lines across the tops of the thighs of my favourite stretch jeans, which will never return to their original shape. Or the tiger stripes that line my stomach, added to by each pregnancy. Tell-tale lines that show evidence of growth and lasting change.
So, coming out of the incredibly hard year that was 2020, I wondered what word God would give me for this new year. What hope would be offered for 2021? And as I prayed, the word that dropped down into my heart was Flourish. And the very sound of it felt like an oasis spread before me. It is a word that feels rich, so I looked it up in the dictionary and according to Merriam-Webster this is its definition:
1: to grow luxuriantly: THRIVE
2a: to achieve success : PROSPER
b: to be in a state of activity or production
c: to reach a height of development or influence
Wow. Flourish is a healing balm coming on the heels of last year. And as I have pondered this, I realize that growth only comes after the breaking. After the stretching. A seed cannot grow unless it has been broken. A grain of wheat produces no harvest until buried in darkness and broken open. Could the all the stretching and expansion of the last year have been leading to this point? A bursting forth of new abundance in this New Year?
I have had to sit with that thought and process for a while. Especially, since the Scripture that has been rushing through the corridors of my soul for this year is Isaiah 43:18-21.
What a beautiful picture! When I think of the word flourish, what comes to mind is verdant meadows, a sea of green dotted with gold and pink and hues of blue. Bees and butterflies happily slipping from blossom to blossom. I think of rolling hills covered with ripening grain swaying in the breeze. Of fields of golden sunflowers, heads raised to the warmth of the sun’s rays. Of standing in the shadow of a vast forest, surrounded by solid trunks, with roots run deep and boughs stretching high, raised in praise to their Creator. Leaves laughing in the wind and sharing their joy and color with the world around them. And strangely enough, I think of dandelions.
A few years ago, our city banned the use of weed killers within city limits. As a result, the dandelion population has exploded. The park across the street from our house turns into a sea of yellow come spring and I think that my lawn has more dandelion greens than grass at this point. Although this can be a source of annoyance, I have a hard time being angry about the little golden flowers. To me they are the heralds of spring after the dark of winter and little drops of sunshine. They are the reminders of childhood and simplicity. And I think there are lessons to be gleaned from the dandelion.
It is a humble flower, yet it knows what it means to flourish. It lacks the perfume of the rose or the elegance of the lily. But it finds its value offered up as the most beautiful of blooms, clutched in chubby fists and presented with radiant smiles. It does not climb the trellis as the ivy does, or grace carefully selected bouquets like other blooms, yet it can transform a dusty boulevard with sprinkles of golden light. It may often be seen as a nuisance, an eye sore, or pest. And yet, the dandelion does not allow the opinions or treatment from others to detract from its purpose. It shines on radiantly despite it all and is content in its place in the dirt. It is tenacious and hardy, and its surroundings do not affect its brilliance. It blooms just as vividly in a garbage heap as it does in an open meadow. Despite its unpopular status, it offers every part of itself up for use – every part of the dandelion from root to flower has a practical or medicinal application. It offers healing, in the face of disdain.
A dandelion needs no invitation to grow where it is planted, often flourishing in the most unfavourable conditions. It sends its roots deep, turns its face to the sun, and thrives even when it is dry – garnering moisture from wherever it can. But the real reason that a dandelion flourishes is that it does not keep to itself. It shares itself with the world and makes its mark, leaving an impact. It remains accessible to all, no matter their station in life. Even when cut down or pulled out, even at its end, it seeds its legacy on the wind to ensure that growth will continue long after it is gone. To lay new roots far from where it was planted. It grows luxuriantly and prospers wherever it is planted.
What a beautiful vision for this year! That is what I want – to grow luxuriantly where I am planted. I want to spread love and joy and life all around me. I want to shine with the Light of Christ and tune out the negative voices that would try to drag me down or distract me from living life to the fullest. To change my narrative and see myself and everyone around me with the intrinsic value we all have. I want to send my roots deep, keep my eyes on the Son, and dig into God’s Word this year with renewed purpose. I want to be content and find joy in being merciful and full of compassion. I want to walk humbly with my God. I have spent enough time in the desert. Now it is time to thrive.
I don’t know what my Shepherd has in store for me or on what paths He will lead me this year, but I know that He is Faithful and remains Emmanuel no matter where the road takes me. I am looking forward to 2021 with hopeful expectation, a little trepidation, and effervescent excitement. I can’t wait to look back on this year and see what God has done.
Flourish. With all that is in me, that is what I intend to do.
Of Shattered Things 