God’s Little Surprises

A Call to Wake Up

Prince Edward County in the spring is a bucolic wonder. The county (which is actually an island in the northeast corner of Lake Ontario) comes alive with verdant fields of barley, wheat, and oats; colourful spring flowers of Hepatica, Marsh Marigolds, and Trilliums; migrating birds including Warblers, Barn Swallows, Baltimore Orioles, and returning Ospreys who settle comfortably each year atop of the hydro pole at the end of Kelly Road.

But for me one of the true marvels of the County are the flowering Lilacs which run from hydro pole to hydro pole, farm house to farm house, for as far as the eye can see. The bold beauty of sight and aroma reminding me of my mother’s Irish twinkle when she cast her eye upon that favourite flower. The ‘Lilac,’ a gift of transient magenta, from both Abba and my mom.

As I mused on the lovely lilacs and memories wafting from my past I thought of Alice Walker’s memorable lines:

“I think it pisses God off if you walk by the color purple in a field somewhere and don’t notice it. People think pleasing God is all God cares about. But any fool in the world can see he is always trying to please us back…always making little surprises and springing them on us when we least expect it.” (Alice Walker, The Color Purple).

Lilacs are one of God’s little surprises which he offers to bring a smile to our frowning faces and a lightness to our heavy hearts.