I enjoyed so many wonderful hikes during this Mother’s Day weekend. In May, I know I’ll find turtles, frogs, and sometimes snakes on the trails. I know I’ll find bird nests of all kinds. All of these discoveries delight me. But in mid-May, I always squeal with joy when I find one rare treat in particular: the Lady Slipper Orchid.
I blog about this orchid every single May. If you’ve been with me this long, you know. I love these orchids. The orchid’s colors make it remarkably difficult to find, even though it’s pink. It strangely blends into the forest, so it takes a good eye to find it.
Today I felt a fresh revelation about this orchid. It’s this:
The best way to find a Lady Slipper Orchid is to remember where they bloom.
As you walk in the woods, you’ll think, “I know this place. I know what’s coming. This is the place where I should look for the orchid.” If you can’t remember, or if you don’t know the way, you’ll need a guide—just like I did the first time Cynthia showed me the secret hiding place of the wild orchids.
The hunt reminds me of the predictability of certain seasons in our life. Over time, you’ll recognize patterns in seasons of loss or sadness, joy and delight, transition, illness, or change. You can step back with wonder and curiosity and say, “I’ve been here before. I know this path. I know how to look for God in a special way right here.” And when you find yourself deep into unknown territory, that’s when you call someone who has traveled the path of whatever it is you’re going through. This person will know the signposts. This person will know how to get you back to beauty and the rare delights of thanksgiving and wonder in any season of your life. Follow me. I know how to look for beauty here. I know how to find hidden treasures in dark places.
Finally, I think about God as the Guide. I thought of Isaiah 45:2-3: I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.
Imagine God summoning you by name. You’re headed after Him as He clears the path. He cuts away every barrier to the treasure in store for you.