One of my favorite flowers are the big, fluffy peonies that bloom in Michigan in May. They always look like puffy snowballs to me—so beautiful!

I’ve been getting braver with perennials, so a few years ago, I decided to purchase a peony plant at a local nursery. It was supposed to be a lovely shade of light pink.

Supposed to be.

Since that time (about four years ago), I’ve had plenty of luck with hydrangeas, several species of lilies and dahlias, hibiscuses, and gladiolas, not to mention astilbes and hyacinths. I’ve become competent with perennials. But ever since I bought that little peony—though the plant has gotten lush and green—not a single bud or bloom has ever graced its leafy greenery.

It’s beyond frustrating that the flower I most want to see fails to show up every year.

People can be like that too sometimes. We often have specific ideas about when and how we should “bloom,” but sometimes it doesn’t work out that way.

We have to bloom in God’s time and trust in his plan and timing for our lives, instead of relying on our own expectations.

I refuse to rip out my peony and throw it away. Every year I tend it, hoping that this will be the year! So if there’s anything you’re working hard on, don’t give up. God’s timing is always perfect.

“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps” (Proverbs 16:9).