The Desires of My Heart

I love violets.
The scent from the tiny flowers always amazes me.
It probably has to do with my Cuban childhood.  As I said in an earlier post, "all Cuban babies smell like violets."

My mom has a patch of violets growing along the side of her house and she brought me a pot full of them two years ago.

And they make me so happy.

I keep thinking I will plant the violets on the side of my house, but I have not done anything about it.  Well, that’s not entirely true.  I had Eric clear a space, but have not actually done any of the real work of turning the soil and preparing it, etc. 
That patch of cleared soil is a great metaphor for my new year’s intentions and resolutions.
I have a big, long list of excuses, too.  Last winter was too wet. Last summer it was too hot. My knees start to ache if I have to kneel for a long time.  I have lots of other things that always seem to be more important and need my attention.  So, I am embarrassed to admit that I have neglected my garden. And no, I have not gotten around to planting the violets.

So, yesterday I’m out in the garden making mental notes:

• It’s time to prune the roses. 
• The soil needs to be prepared to plant the sweet peas for an early spring bloom
• I should really commit to planting those violets…..

Imagine my surprise when I look over to the cleared, but still rough patch along the side of the house and find this:

Those are violets!
Violets I did not plant.
Clear across the garden from my potted ones.

It is a miracle.
It is a gift.
It’s just like God to surprise me like this and remind me that He knows the desires of my heart.

Yes, I cried.

I will not be making resolutions for this new year.
I will be making my desires known to God.
That’s a much better plan, I think.
He’s so much better at following through. 😉

"Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." – Psalm 37:4