$18 on flowers. Did you just waste money…?
I was walking into the grocery store the other day, past the flower section and over-heard two girls (probably in their late teens) having a conversation. One of the girls said “those flowers are so beautiful, when I have my own place I’m going to buy fresh flowers weekly, to put in my kitchen…”. The other girl then proceeded to say “that’s such a waste of money. Why would you ever spend money on something that’s just going to die over and over again. That makes no sense…”.
I wish that second girl understood just how much value there is, in a fresh bunch of flowers that would just “die over and over again…”.
When I read this passage in Psalm 23:2-3 “He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake” the description “green pastures” jumps out at me. The Lord doesn’t put us to rest in dry, brittle pastures…He puts us to rest in GREEN lush pastures. He took time to make things beautiful “He has made everything beautiful in its time…” Ecclesiastes 3:11
Therefore, if I am following in His footsteps, it’s absolutely OK and quite literally one way to honor Him, by taking time, to make things beautiful.
I know there’s always an on-going “to-do” list. Always something “more important” to get done- but guess what? According to Scripture “making your home” whether that be by cozying up your living room with some warm throws, or buying the beautiful freshly-cut flowers from the store…whatever it might be; it IS honoring to the Lord and absolutely NOT a waste of time, money or your talents.
If He is as specific as to name certain flowers in Scripture and how they grow…
“Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow…” Matthew 6:28. Consider the fact that each time you “beautify” your home (and I don’t mean this in an extravagant way) but by simply tidying up or placing things where they belong…creating a place of comfort and peace for the people who live there- you are emulating the Lord. You are bringing honor to His name.
So please don’t believe the lies that this world and the enemy will spew at you- that your talents are “wasted” in the home. The Lord gave you those talents, for such a time as this- to make your home a safe haven, a sanctuary, a place of peace for the people He entrusted you with.
The everyday, little blessings…they go a long way in carrying us through overwhelming, trying times. Let Him bless you through those flowers…through the smell of that freshly brewed cup of coffee and through cozying up on your couch with all of your littles and husband, in a house filled with warmth, love and the Holy Spirit. “For such a time as this”, sister…what you do in your home, and the effort that you place in the details of it all- it isn’t “wasted”, it isn’t “pointless”. It points to the Creator and gives Him ALL of the glory that He deserves!
“All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.” John 1:3
“And out of the ground the Lord God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food.” Genesis 2:9