The heavens declare the glory of God. Psalm 19:1

Original photo by Cecilia Marie Pullian

In my Daily Bread devotional for today, Patricia Raybon wrote about Alex Smalley, a British researching studying awe inspiring weather events. According to Smalley, a stunning sunrise, or sunset can improve mood, increase positive emotions, and decrease stress. “When you see something vast and overwhelming or something that produces this feeling of awe, your own problems can feel diminished and so you don’t worry so much about them.”

This reminded me of another quote I read years ago.

Sherlock 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).

Isn’t that true? Sunsets, sunrises, blossoms, green fields, gurgling brooks, blue oceans, and lakes enhance the beauty of our world and lift our spirits—lifting them up towards heaven, towards God.

God has blessed me in the last stage of my life with a wonderful husband, family, church family, friends and a beautiful place to live.

Our house is situated in such a way as to allow me to watch both sunrises and sunsets from my front windows or porch. At other times of the day, I enjoy the lush vista of the surrounding countryside. Further embellishments to this life for which I am so thankful, especially after the many difficult preceding years.

There will be more difficulties to come, but there will also be those special gifts of encouragement, love and compassion sprinkled in when I need them most. Scripture verses, words from a kind friend, flowers, sunrises, and sunsets.

Thank you, Lord, for giving us embellishments to soften the hardness of this life. Amen.

 

On the Eve of Valentines I Remember.....

My Shop's Signature Bouquet    

Valentine's Day used to make me tremble. You see, I once owned a flower shop, and it has taken years to get over the nightmares. Only in the last few years have I been able to walk through a store with red roses on display. The sixteen hour days, standing ankle deep in cut stems and floral debris, still haunt my dreams occasionally.

The worst nightmare was being in a wreck on the way to delivering  funeral or wedding arrangements. The nightmare happened, twice. Once on the way to a wedding, but thankfully it was only a minor accident and not a single arrangement toppled over. The one on Valentine's Day however, totaled my truck.  Oh those were the days....

There were however, happy moments, moments that I will remember the rest of my life.  A grieving family so touched by the floral arrangements they hugged me. The last minute bridal bouquet and boutonniere for a couple marrying in her mother's hospital room. Delivering bouquets to work places for anniversaries, birthdays, and holidays. I loved seeing the recipient's faces, both men and women. One year on Valentine's day, my oldest son offered to deliver for me. He arrived in a suit. I received multiple phone calls asking if they ordered more flowers, would he come back?

At the time he was "moonlighting" as a sheriff's deputy when he wasn't delivering for me. I am one lucky mom, right? Yes, all the ladies thought so.