I love flowers. The colors. The shapes. The extravagant beauty. There is something about blooming flowers that puts me in a good mood. It’s great when a photo can capture the essence of a flower. When I go on trips I always take lots of pictures of flowers. I even follow a community on Facebook called “Wonderful World of Flowers” for when I need a break from the daily posts and comments.
Wanna know what’s better than a photo of flowers? Real flowers! Cut flowers in a vase are beautiful and amazing and my husband likes to surprise me with them from time to time. Makes me smile.
My favorite flowers are those that are planted by hand in pots or in gardens and are meticulously cared for by someone who loves them.
Although I wasn’t blessed with a green thumb, you’ll find new flowers and plants in my front bed at the beginning of each season. I always have good intentions. I plan to water them and nourish them so they will stay as beautiful as the day I bought them. Sometimes that works out, sometimes not…
One time I bought two large yellow mums to put in planters on the front porch. They were about a week from fully blooming. Because they were on the porch I knew they would need to be hand watered.
Then I went on vacation for 8 days and forgot to ask someone to water them while I was away. Needless to say, I came home to a bunch of dried buds on two shriveled up mums. Bummer. I must confess that has happened to me on more than one occasion.
I’ve been thinking lately about my role as a Christian. Some people can step out in faith to witness to an unbeliever. Some are blessed to be able to lead people to Christ. I don’t know if that will ever be me. “So what part do I play in furthering your kingdom, Lord?”
God has given me the desire and, I believe, the ability to encourage others in their faith. This is why I do this blog. I love to share personal experiences of what God has done in my life as a way of building others up. I also enjoy encouraging other women in person if I have the chance.
Does this describe you? Do you encourage others by sharing about the wonderful things God is doing in your life? Do you like to tell them about how He gives you strength to press on through the struggles you face? Maybe you want to do this but haven’t felt ready or don’t think you have anything important to share. God wants to be the source of what you share.
When my mums were dying, they needed water. I wasn’t there to fill my watering pail and take the water to them. So they suffered and didn’t achieve their purpose. Those flowers didn’t get to realize their true beauty because I didn’t do my job. I didn’t fulfill my role in helping them stay healthy.
In the Bible, living water is used many times to describe what unbelievers can receive when they follow Jesus. The idea of watering is used in 1 Corinthians 3 when Paul talks about the various roles in discipling the people of the church. He says, “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.”
We are called to do the planting and the watering. God is the source of the living water we take to those we encounter. He is the nourishment that will allow His people to realize their full potential, their amazing beauty.
Just like flowers. So if you are a waterer like me, keep your pail full by returning to the source frequently. Even better, stay connected to the source [be a hose 😉 ] so that you can water freely when the moment presents itself.
Go ahead. Water the flowers. You can do it!
I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. 1 Corinthians 3:6-8
