HYDRANGEAS BY THE CHURCH
A Quiet Reminder of Tender Love
“My beloved has gone down to his garden, to the beds of spices, to feed his flock in the gardens and to gather lilies.”
— Song of Solomon 6:2 (NKJV)
The other day I found myself standing beside the church, looking at a newly prepared flower bed at Refuge Ministries.
Fresh soil.
Open space.
A quiet place waiting to be filled.
I wasn’t sure what flowers belonged there at first. I kept looking at the empty spot beside the church and thinking about it off and on for days.
Then suddenly I remembered how much my mother loved hydrangeas.
The thought stayed with me.
I could almost picture her smiling at those big, colorful blooms once again. Even now, hydrangeas carry a special warmth for me. There is something gentle and peaceful about them. They remind me of kindness, quiet beauty, and my lovely mother. I have always loved their soft colors and full blossoms.
They also remind me of Maureen, a dear friend from Refuge Ministries. She planted them around her lake cottage, and I remember how happy she was when she talked about them with family and friends. What a sweet memory.
Some flowers feel loud and dramatic.
Hydrangeas feel soft and tender.
Peaceful.
Gentle.
Welcoming.
And perhaps that is part of why they carry such rich symbolism to me.
Hydrangeas do not produce tiny hidden blooms. They blossom fully. Abundantly. Almost extravagantly. Large clusters gathered together into one beautiful display.
It reminds me of the heart of God.
His love is not small toward us.
His mercy is not tiny.
His kindness is not given in reluctant drops.
He pours.
He lavishes.
He covers.
He surrounds.
“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us…”
— Ephesians 2:4 (NKJV)
One of the most fascinating things about hydrangeas is that their colors can change depending on the condition of the soil.
The very ground beneath them affects what is revealed outwardly.
And is that not true of us as well?
What grows in the hidden places of the heart eventually shows itself outwardly.
A bitter heart eventually reveals bitterness.
A prideful heart eventually reveals pride.
But a heart cultivated in the presence of God begins to reflect His beauty.
The soul becomes softened.
Gentleness appears.
Mercy deepens.
Grace becomes visible.
The hidden root affects the visible bloom.
I also love how hydrangeas seem to flourish together in clusters rather than standing isolated and alone.
What a picture of the Body of Christ.
We were never meant to live disconnected lives. We grow together. Strengthen one another. Carry one another through storms.
Some seasons of life feel cold and barren. Yet every spring the hydrangea returns again.
Quietly.
Faithfully.
Steadily.
And perhaps some weary heart needs that reminder today.
You may feel stripped down by hardship.
You may feel like winter has lasted too long.
You may feel as though beauty has disappeared from your life.
But God has not forgotten how to make things bloom again.
The barren branch can flower once more.
The wounded heart can heal once more.
The weary soul can laugh again.
Sometimes the Lord places simple reminders around us.
A flower beside a church, a quiet memory of a mother’s smile, the joy of a lake cottage, and a bloom opening slowly in the summer light.
And suddenly the heart remembers:
God is still tender.
God is still near.
God still makes beautiful things grow.
Happy Mother’s Day Mom in heaven. Your kindness, gentleness, and quiet beauty still bloom in my heart.
With Love,
Steve Porter
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💬 Thank you for spending a few quiet moments here. If this spoke to you, a brief comment is always a kindness — to me and to others who may be reading.
God’s love is so tender and gentle, His creations are awesome.
I trust my ABBA FATHER. He will take care of us all. Believe the words of mom Porter, Best is Yet to come.
thank you Steve 💌