I’ve never had a green thumb, but growing up my mom always kept a beautiful landscape. Our home might not have been the nicest on the block, but our yard surely was.

Every spring she was there decking it out with the most vibrant flowers. It was her thing—her way of bringing beauty into the world.

One day I got out in the yard with her. I’ll never forget us working side by side, dirt under our nails, sweat on our brows. We were planting beautiful flowers, and I was excited for what it would look like when it was done. Then out of nowhere she said something that stopped me in my tracks.

As if it was any other casual conversation she said,

“You know my dad never could say, “I love you”, but I knew it when he came to help me do yard work.”

I stopped and just looked at her.

Here was the same woman I had spent much of my life being angry with—frustrated by the things she did or didn’t do. And suddenly, I was getting a glimpse of her as a daughter, not just my mom.

What I had never fully seen before was this: while she was raising me, she was also overcoming her own childhood trauma. She was fighting through the chains of drug and alcohol addiction. And she was doing it all while trying to be a parent. That mix didn’t always make for an easy upbringing.

But in that moment, watching her tend to the flowers with care and hearing about her father’s quiet love, I saw her humanity. I saw her strength. It’s easy to forget that our parents were once just kids, too—shaped by the people and pain that came before us.

Despite her father’s flaws, my mom chose to forgive. She chose to love him. She was able to see her father for who he was, and accept him for who he was. My grandfather passed away years ago, but I remember seeing my mom buy him gifts, and give him hugs.

What I couldn’t know then was just how much I would need her example of unconditional love. I am so grateful God sees me for who I am and loves me anyway, aren’t you?

“But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” | Romans 5:8

Just like with yard work, forgiveness means digging up roots. It takes digging. It gets messy.
Sometimes it means pulling up old roots before anything new can grow. But the beautiful thing is—you don’t have to do it alone.

Jesus is working right along side you. You can ask him for wisdom and the Bible says He’ll give it to you!

“ If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you.” | James 1:5

Who do you need to forgive in this season of your life?

Maybe it’s a parent, friend, co-worker, or even a stranger. But I do know that the forgiveness you give today isn’t just for you. Your willingness to forgive will have an impact on the generations to come after you.

Let's pray.

“God thank you for my friend who is reading this. I pray you would give them wisdom on how to move forward in a way that brings you glory. Help us when we don’t understand and give us the courage to love like you. Thank you for forgiving us and loving us unconditionally. Let your will be done in our lives. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.”

Happy springtime, may yours be filled with new beginnings!

Love, Your friend Reyna