The Geranium on the Window Sill

The Geranium on the Window Sill

Theology in the Trenches

By Kathleen Kjolhaug

The dried red petals upon the floor held their color and a whole lot more—they held memories. The geranium petals upon the plant reminded me of mom. They were her favorite and wherever she     planted them, they blossomed.

A few years ago, I decided to bring my geranium indoors when summer was over. Why? Well—while growing up, a neighbor lady always did this with her plants. I thought it odd as the messiness and upkeep seemed to be more trouble than it was worth. Often, remnants of dried plant leaves left their mark helter-skelter around her home—much like the dried red petals now upon my floor.

Truth-be-told, I didn’t think the mess looked all that great back then, but what does a little girl know about these things. The pots held smudges of soil as down the side of her porch steps she would strategically place them once the weather warmed. Shadowy they appeared as I narrowly escaped knocking them over each time I visited.

Apparently, the imagery of it has embedded within—enough to teach me that it is possible to hold on to plants for more than one season. Figuring I had nothing to lose, I took one plant into the house when the outdoor season was done. Its green leaves appeared to wave as if in appreciation. As I kept watch, about mid-winter the red buds appeared and the geranium began to bloom.

By now you know, the plant continues to serve as a reminder of mom and the splashes of red geranium blossoms mid-winter in the northland is always pure gift. In fact, it is the only plant I continue to drag into the house each fall and back out onto the porch each spring.

As we moved to a new house mere months ago, my trusty potted plant came along for the ride and it did not disappoint. The red geranium continued to blossom, until one day, it didn’t. No doubt it needed a season of rest after showing its bright colors for so long.

I suppose it’s much like us. We all need respite now and again. It is good to rest when we are weary—to replenish in order to be rejuvenated. Trouble is, sometimes we’re not good at recognizing when we need refreshing. Perhaps, if we had a big colorful flower growing out of our head it might help serve as a sign. When it waned, it would be a signal grace of sorts to not only us, but to those around that a time of refreshment is needed.

Collecting the dried petals upon the floor became routine in our new house on the hill. However, today I noted a tiny red bud upon the potted geranium. It reminded me of the One who refreshes.

“For I am about to do something new…I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” (Is. 43:19). And again in Zeph. 3:17, “He celebrates and sings because of you, and he will refresh your life with his love.” And it is so, because He said so.  Amen.