The first bluebells of the season, my favorite time of the year. They predictably come up every year ... not tended, watered, fertilized, thinned out, protected or weeded by any human ... they simply lay all cosy and sleepy underneath the forest floor, until such a time as their creator made them to appear. At that appointed time, they force their way through the spring soil and emerge in brilliant beauty to provide a carpet such as no loom can ever make. Each plant has many flowers, little bells, so delicately bobbing in the breeze as though appreciating that this is their time to shine. 

So often we see them in a blur of deep violet blue as we drive by, or if we do have the privilege of walking to a bluebell wood, we will stand in awe at the striking beauty laid out at our feet. As a whole, it is breathtaking and yet each small plant has those little bell flowers bobbing their hello, without which, the whole would not be possible. Appreciate the detail and the small things, each one counts.

Just like the bluebells, we can often seem and feel very small in the sea of humanity. Yet God created the detail, the individual, the petal and He cares enormously about that detail. Each tiny part of every plant helps with the beauty and function of the whole. So take time to notice, to listen, to smell, to touch, to really see the detail before you that matters most, and to the those whom you love.

The bluebells remind me of God’s steadfast, predictable, remarkable, faithful love. It certainly doesn’t require anything of us, just like the bluebell woods, it is there despite who we are and will remain so. There is a difference however ... we can choose to destroy nature if it’s not protected from our pollution or continual need for more housing. I am grateful for conservation laws that do protect ancient woodlands. God’s  love needs no such input. Nothing can waver the steadfast nature of His love, it is an absolute certainty, one that we can rely on forever.

So the next time you see bluebells and maybe take a walk through their carpeted woodland, remember this: that “all the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness” (Psalm 25v10) ... that His “steadfast love extends to the heavens ... (His) faithfulness to the clouds” (Psalm 36v5) and that “those who devise good meet steadfast love and faithfulness” (Prov. 14v22).

It has been a dream of mine for many, many years, to own a little bluebell woodland. I think it would be my haven of rest, like a little portion of heaven on earth (I’m very much assuming they’ll be bluebells in heaven, or something even better!) So you may well see some more photos of bluebells on here until they bow over to return into hiding ... preparing for their next most excellent extravaganza. Thank you God for creating woodlands which host bluebells.

Ingrid x