A Taste of Spring
Hope you all are staying warm! After walking down to the bus stop this morning with my daughter, I wondered where spring escaped to!? Until today the weather this week in Winston-Salem has been absolutely beautiful…a little teaser, I think. Even though the cold, grey winter days are back, God has given me such hope over the past two days through His personal “delivery” of a sweet message.
Yesterday, I had the opportunity to speak to the most welcoming group of ladies at Christian Women’s Club in Charlotte. Thankfully, I arrived early to get myself settled and meet a few ladies. There were about 30 ladies of all ages in attendance. I find it such a treat to meet and visit these ladies who are so wise and encouraging.
The morning fit together like the petals on a rose. (You’ll see why I phrased it that way!) After the lunch was served, the special feature consisted of a presentation by two ladies from a local florist. Beauty simply sprang together for them as they taught about arranging vases and making a “cake” with flowers. I learned a few tips on arranging flowers and keeping them fresh. The florist’s secret “touch” made it look so easy, but their ability is definitely a gift. Arranging flowers is not something I ever had the knack to do. My efforts in arranging flowers can look like a toddler put them together!
After the special feature presentation, I shared my testimony –intertwined with some lessons from my book about prayer. During my talk I remembered that the florists made a daisy arrangement so I shared one of my favorite sayings. I am sure you have heard of the saying, “He loves me, he loves me not” as you pluck each petal off the daisy. I like to say, “He loves me. He loves me still. He loves me. He still loves me!” If the ladies remember nothing else I said, that is the truth that I wanted them to know- despite our mistakes.
When I finished sharing, a beautiful vocalist sang. I am not sure of the song title, but the lyrics were something like, “Is there a way to show my passion in my heart? Lord, I pour my love on you! Like praises of perfume.” The idea for the song is taken from the Bible – the story of Mary pouring her costly perfume on Jesus’ feet (which is a story I share in my book).
As I sat and listened, it occurred to me this opportunity to speak and write is God’s way for me to show the passion in my heart. This is the most fruitful way…for me –by His design. We all “speak” passionately about God or we stand for a cause in unique and individual ways. I admit I envied the vocalists! I would LOVE to be able to sing and worship God with music as she did!! I keep telling myself..in heaven someday I will.
The pouring out my life…that is what the writing and speaking is all about, sharing my most passionate and vulnerable parts of me and it is not always easy. It occurred to me that all this work, waiting, and preserving were a sweet fragrance –pouring my love on Jesus…like praises of perfume. There is no greater way for me to show my passion for Him!
As I reflected over my talk, there’s so much to say in 30 minutes! Have you ever experienced an encounter with someone when you wished you had said something that you didn’t? The disappointment of what I didn’t say came to my mind as the vocalist sang. One of the main themes of the morning and of my book – our prayers are like incense, a sweet fragrance to Him! How could I have not included it? I wanted to stand up and tell the ladies my afterthought, but I wasn’t sure that was the right time. I shared it with a few ladies after the luncheon and I wrestled with this groping thought half way home. (Maybe that’s way I never end up taking the same route home as I do when I am heading somewhere! :0) But I made it home with a prayer or two!
A phone call from a friend brought a new perspective. Aren’t girl friends great? My friend said, “Maybe God is showing you more and more what He wants you to say. He is refining your talk just like your book.” She was right. From here on out…I can share that beautiful truth.
As I read my devotion this morning, would you believe it said when God wants to express a beautiful thought, He makes a lovely flower. When He wants to express to man –what He is – He makes a very beautiful character. “Think of yourselves as my expression of attributes, as a lovely flower is my expression of thought, and you will strive in all, in spiritual beauty, in thought, power, in health, in clothing to be a fit expression for me as you can…taking beauty in, a message from Him, to be given back to the world.”
Again, I see, it’s all God’s doing. We are life-giving perfume, a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. (2 Cor. 2:14-16) We may be a bud…but the blooming and fragrance will come…all in His good time! So enjoy the new life of spring…take in the beauty. Dwell in the moment of smelling the sweet fragrant flower and know it is for you (a message of love)…and remember your praises are perfume.
