I have joined Emily’s* 30 Day Challenge:

I’m challenging myself to post a picture every day during the month of November (30 Days To Be Thankful For) and to add a caption as to why I am thankful. — Emily

Day 15, November 15

I am thankful for the last few flowers, struggling to bloom despite hard freezes, snow, and shrinking hours of sunlight.

They illustrate perseverance.

per·se·ver·ance

steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.  —Dictionary.com

In spite of frosts that turned petals and buds to freeze-dried versions of their former blooming glories,

in spite of being the only flowers on an entire bush to have survived, they bloom.  They persist.  I could use a little more of that kind of tenacity.

Couldn’t you?

May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.

2 Thessalonians 3:5  NIV

Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James 1:4  NIV

See Thankful 30 page for every day’s entry.

* name changed