St Peters RC Church Hamilton

Plant a promise!

This is easy, all thanks to God’s generosity.

He as Creator, is always planning ahead.

This is why God gifts us the happiness

Which is promised when planting a bulb.

We plant now in December

In order to remember and anticipate spring joy.

Possibly many bulbs like the narcissi family

Are already safely in the ground.

Follow this up by planting tulips now,

How they gain an advantage.

November and December are the optimum time

For planting tulip bulbs for later appearing,

Making a welcome vibrant addition to a spring garden.

This is because by now the early frosts

Reduce the risk of tulip disease which lurks in the soil.

The roots develop well in the colder months,

So after planting and watering well,

You can leave tulip bulbs to the elements.

Certain species flower as early as March,

The remainder stretch between April and May

To always make a beautiful colour display.

It is exciting to plant a promise

In your mind you will have selected the best.

There is certainly plenty to choose from!

Then having laboured awhile, a labour of love of course,

You can leave the rest to the Creator,

To ensure a spring fever of fabulous flower.

With the guarantee that as long as the weather

Behaves seasonally and co-operatively,

Your autumn or winter effort will pay rich dividends.

But then it always is the case that

Our Creator Father loves to delight us.

Often He will surprise us to excite us.

It can even happen that bulbs spring up in places long forgotten.

Plant then, a promise in December

And enjoy the anticipation of next year’s tulip bulbs.

Never is there a better flair for colour

Than in the first rush, flush of tall, willowy, stately tulips!

Dearest Father, I love tulips! Thank You for the beauty that awaits, now the spring bulbs full of promise have been planted. It is exciting when they first appear, and rewarding when in full bloom in their bright

array of many colours. Why are there no blue tulips I wonder? Thank You for this precious gift. Amen.