Have you ever thought about the similar attributes of flowers and people? Even now, as I write, a smile crosses my face as I visualise different types of flowers.
It never ceases to amaze me the endless variety our Creator has provided for us to enjoy. How decorative is His hand?
Flowers come in all designs, just like people. Colour, size or shape does not determine worth.
A colourful flower bed or vase of flowers can gladden any gloomy day. Bringing a smile to the sick or lonely heart. With wonder the Psalmist exclaimed, “O Lord, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all. The earth is full of Your possessions” (Psalm 104:24, NKJV).
Some flowers are border plants, planted around the garden edges marking a clear boundary. Some people guard well the truth of God’s word and moral boundaries.
Some flowers like the colder months. How often has a cold response dampened your spirits or our response anothers?
Some flowers like the warmer climates. What a difference a warm or cheerful reply makes, gladdening our hearts and nourishing our soul. “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver” (Proverbs 25:11, NKJV). Can your imagination visualise the beauty in such a wonder?
Some flowers stand tall at the back of the garden bed—some people stand tall despite much adversity, still others stand tall in the background, humbly fulfilling their allotted tasks cheerfully.
Some flowers have perfume, others don’t. How often do we leave a lingering impression like “sweet perfume” by our words or actions, or do we poison the air like an obnoxious weed with a hasty reply?
Weeds! I’m sure you like me have looked at those offending invaders with annoyance and wondered how is it they seem to flourish while other carefully nurtured plants often struggle to survive ?
After a shower of rain, it seems they take great delight in springing up where they are not wanted and choking the life out of that freshly laid garden bed: the one you weeded so painstakingly, the one you planned to mulch in an effort to eliminate those tiresome unwanted garden guests, but never quite got around to.
Roses steal the show at any function…but they also have thorns. Some flowers are flamboyant, they stand out in any vase—some people are hard to miss, they add a touch of “spirit” to life’s often mundane activities. I’m sure you can think of a few such people in your own life’s journey.
Some flowers are versatile, plant them anywhere in the garden and they flourish-how about us-are we versatile, how adaptable are we to change, or do we droop and wither in changing conditions, moaning at the least little adversity ?
Some flowers are fragile, like the delicate Orchid—many people are left fragile, buffeted by the challenges of painful memories, and need thoughtful care and understanding . . . maybe even a shoulder to cry on.
Sunflowers! Well, what can I say . . . some people just brighten your day no matter what. They just can’t help it, their sunshine envelops you like a big cuddly teddy bear.
Like flowers in a garden or vase, we are meant to compliment each other in our variety.
We are all a living representatives of our awesome Creator. We are all different.
Imagine being all the same!
As we touch the lives of others, the challenge for each of us today is to stop and think . . . what are we cultivating in our own life—flowers or weeds ?
By the grace of God let us endeavour to sprinkle petals of kindness on the pathway of others.
Lynn Scarr loves her work as a nurse and lives at Ocean Shores, NSW.
