June 03, 2011

Life’s Embellishments

My devotion, God’s Little Lessons on Life for Women quoted Sherlock Holmes. Holmes said flowers were not necessary to life. They were an embellishment given to us from a compassionate God (from The Adventure of the Naval Treaty by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle).

After owning and managing a flower shop for ten years, flowers were not an embellishment to my life. They were a means to an end and represented the stress that accompanies small business ownership. I did not see beautiful blooms or notice their sweet fragrance. They represented hours of standing ankle deep in floral debris creating Something Spectacular while answering phones, taking orders, organizing deliveries and assisting walk in customers. When the holidays ended, I did not want to celebrate anything except the chance to shower and go to bed.

The last Valentine’s Day I owned the shop began in the usual way with aching back and feet, allergies running amok from too much exposure to all the pollen, and panic over cash flow. My bank balance was still short of enough funds to cover the rose shipment. Too tired to expend the extra energy to worry, I gave the issue to God.


At ten am the FedEx truck pulled up to the door and the driver pulled out box after box of flowers. My only recourse was to write a check and pray the receipts came in before the check made it to the bank.

I greeted the delivery man with what I hoped was a smile. “So, how much do you need from me today?”

“Nothing.”

“Nothing?”

“Yeah, it’s really odd. The box with the invoice got bumped because of excessive weight in the cargo hold. Usually that is the first box they load. Anyway, without the invoice I can’t take payment.”

“Well, how long before the other box shows up?”

“It was bumped only one flight, so I’d say tomorrow or the next day at the latest.”

Well within the parameters of a fresh, saleable product. I hummed songs of praise all day long, and ironically, my feet didn’t hurt as much, my back ached less and we had one of our best holidays.

The next morning the other box showed up, right along with enough deposits to cover the C.O.D - and the most pressing bills. I glowed all the way to the bank.

I have been out of the floral business for six years, and now have the benefit of hind sight. While working in the shop I was surrounded with beauty, but I saw mostly thorns. I failed to understand that the blossoms are much larger than the thorns, and if we stand in the right position – in faith and trust in Him – we won't see the thorns at all.

12 comments:

  1. Wonderful post! One of my favorite quotes when I was younger was this: Some people complain because God put thorns on roses, while others praise Him for putting roses among thorns. Sometimes its hard to see God in difficult times, but, He always proves Himself doesn't he? Even when our faith is small. Thank goodness it isn't because of anything we do. We would be lost for sure! Thank you for sharing this story! It is just the encouragement I needed!

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  2. Sarah, I love your quote. And you are so right. I am very thankful He knows what we need when we haven't a clue.

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  3. Amen! What a wonderful testimony of God's faithfulness. This post really rang home for me!

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  4. Thanks, Judith. I am glad this rang home for you. It sure did me. I don't look at roses - or other flowers - in quite the same way.

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  5. What a lovely post. Thank you for sharing it!

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  6. Thank you, Callie, for takig the time to stop in and comment.

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  7. Sometimes there are thorns. But the beauty is always there. Praise reveals the beauty. Love this, Ceci. As always. Beautiful!

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  8. Thank you, Lynn. And you are right. There is always beauty among the thorns if you only choose to look.

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  9. Thanks for sharing this testimony of provision...it encouraged my heart this morning as our bank account is next to zero and we need deposit money etc for our forced move. God is still in the business of taking care of us...thanks for the reminder.

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  10. A very difficult situation, just the one God likes in order to prove His sovereignty and Divine Intervention (i.e. a miracle). Praying your situation is rectified quickly. Two hundred dollars a month is a huge increase all at once.

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  11. What a beautiful post! It's a little like "can't see the forest for the trees" you could say "can't smell and enjoy the beauty of the roses because of the thorns"! It's wonderful to read about God working in your life in this way, Cecilia.

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  12. Thank you for your comment, Connie. It is good to remember and testify to all of His wonderful Providence. Not only does it help others (I hope) but it certainly strengthens my own as well.

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