EVERYTIME FLOWERS

Deep red roses, bright yellow daises, royal purple carnations, lacy white baby’s breath and many more. After my recent surgery I was given bouquets of beautiful flowers. Some species lived longer than others, but eventually they all died. While they lived, they made me feel better — enjoying the bright colors and delicate forms when outside it was a dreary fall day. Even when I was not feeling very well, the flowers helped me remember to praise God for His creation and to thank Him for the loving people in my life who gave me the flowers. As Paul says “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thess. 5:18). That part about “all circumstances” is there to prevent pity parties.

To thank God when you’re feeling like you will never be back to normal is hard work without help. Vases full of flowers helped me focus on God instead of me. And by the time they were gone, I was feeling more normal and had gotten back into the habit of daily gratitude.

— Barbara Carter

Courtesy of The Church of the Good Shepherd United Methodist