God, You Are Faithful

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6 (ESV)

God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind.
Has he said, and will he not do it?
Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it? Numbers 23:19 (ESV)

Clematis was supposed to be easy to grow.

This summer Mr. Pettit mounted a trellis, and I planted and watered and fertilized the little plant. I carefully trained the delicate tendrils around the metal framework.

A few new leaves appeared, and others faded. Some of the stems turned brown and broke off. After several weeks the plant appeared to have stopped growing altogether. But I kept watering and waiting.

Then one afternoon, as I tended my other flowers, I saw it: a tiny bud. I bent down and stared at it, unsure if I were seeing what I was seeing. Eventually the bud opened, and a perfect lavender flower appeared.

Our little clematis finally became glorious.

Thank You, Father, for Your faithfulness. I stop, I start, and sometimes I wither. But I know You have a plan for me and You will see it through. You are the Patient Gardener Who tends my life with care.