Seeing God in the Flowers...

My house is a two story brick colonial. It has a brick wall in front. This picture is of the house shortly after we bought it-the brick was in need if repair. This winter we had a brick man come and do just that. The most wonderful thing that he did was to remove the top off the center piece that looked like a dog house and make it a planter instead. During Easter I placed fake Easter Lillie's in it. It was so pretty. This spring I have again planted the inpatients in front of the structure (last year they grew so big and beautiful you could not see the brick wall behind them-strangers would stop by and inquire of them).

This spring I planted this new yellow flower in the planter. I didn't save the little card that came with them and I am regretting that. There are no yellow inpatients so I choose the center planter to hold a yellow flower as it symbolizes new beginnings, happiness and energy. I went to the nursery where I got the flowers this morning and they are out. I went to another nursery and they don't have them either. I love watching these yellow flowers as they have such life to them.

The flower itself resembles a daisy but has a lot more pedals. The pictures on the right was taken from my palm since my camera is broken beyond repair. Here is what is so unique about this flower: as night approaches you will see the pedals close in on itself and the stem holding the flower will "lay down" the flower. Then each morning as the sun rises, the reverse happens-the stem lifts the flower up to the sun and opens it's pedal up into full bloom.

Last night we had a storm move in. As I was driving home from church I noticed these flowers and pointed them out to my youngest daughter. The pedals were balled up and closed up so tight-tighter than I had ever seen. The stem was laying them down, except for one flower. Though it was balled up real tight, it stood up as if still reaching for the sun. My daughter was so tickled over this plant she ran out in the rain to look at it closer. I wasn't feeling as brave.

I though about this magnificent plant God has created and drew me to purchase last weekend. It wasn't by chance. There were some prettier plants but He had a plan to teach me through it. Is this plant not an example of our life, our Christan life? When the darkness come through a sin of bitterness, unforgiveness, envy, anger, impatience, just to name a few, are we not called to protect ourself? When the storms of life come our way through an illness, broken relationship, even death...have we not been instructed to protect ourself with God? 1 Thessalonians 5:8 states "But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation".

When the darkness comes...when the storms hit us...protect yourself in faith and love which comes from God. And like that one lonely plant I saw last night standing tall in the storm but balled up tight, we too are to stand out for God's kingdom, fully protected in His armor.

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

~Ephesians 6:10-20

May you bloom beautifully this weekend for Christ! Blessings!

In His Graces~Pamela