Shelly
Hendricks
is
a wife and mother of 2 amazing kids. She was a teacher and a
librarian in another life. She also suffers from Intracranial
Hypertension
and Essential Tremor, among
a myriad of other issues mostly stemming from these two.
She had brain surgery in 2012, to
install a VP Shunt, and
had a revision in January of this year. She
now considers herself to be a ‘bionic woman’ who is learning to
walk again. Disability has been hard to deal with, but she depends on
God for all strength and hopes to encourage others on this journey,
through her blog at http://reneweddaily.com
But
thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and
manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every
place. - 2 Corinthians 2:14
Have you ever
walked into the middle of a field of wildflowers in the glory of
spring? Even if you close your eyes, it is a majestic assault on the
senses. The smells, so deep and so complex, resting on every draft
and changing subtly with each new breeze, are like nothing that can
be replicated by humans. Only God...
I think that's how
God feels when He walks among His people. In fact, we are to be
diffusing that fragrance through every place we visit. Did you know
you were such a sweet perfume?
My garden has
beautiful roses and fluffy balls of snowball flowers and dripping
lavendar waterfalls of lilac. There are bright nodding heads of
daffodils and graceful sweeps of proud iris. Each has their own
scent. Some are subtle, some are distinctive and bold.
And when I clip
off a bloom of each one and place them in the same vase, the smell is
too wondrous and special to be described. Each one gives off just the
note it's meant to, and they blend together perfectly.
Perhaps you are a
magnolia? Distinctive and bold, yet so fragile and easily bruised.
Maybe you're a
dandelion? Bright and cheerful, becoming something distinctive,
waiting for the breath of God to come along and make a wish.
How about a cactus
bloom? Seemingly untouchable and keeping others at a distance, but oh
for that one moment in time when you show off your potential. Wow.
Maybe you're an
orchid? Tempermental and particular, preferred and adored.
You are a
beautiful bloom in the God's garden. No matter what your strengths or
weaknesses, your subtleties and your power... no matter if you're an
overnight beauty or a year-long bloomer... you have a place here.
And our bouquet?
It needs your scent. Your undertones anchor. Your sweetness entices.
Your fruit uplifts.
Bloom, in whatever
way you can. Manifest the sweet aroma of Him in every place. Bring
the Spring.
Heavenly Father,
help each of us to recognize our worth and beauty today. Help us to
bloom in exactly the way You had planned for us, not wishing to be a
different type of flower, but showcasing You in our unique way. Thank
You for the gift of each other. In Jesus' Name, Amen...
photo credit: lovecatz, photopin
photo credit: markow76, photopin
photo credit: Theophilos, photopin
photo credit: regan76, photopin
photo credit: Randy Son Of Robert, photopin
Shelly, this was wonderful. Thank you as always for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Shelly, for this lovely piece! Give us pause to consider our own fragrance as well as truly consider other's and how we can be a fragrant bouquet together for our Creator! May today be a day we offer our most pleasing to Him!
ReplyDeleteThank you for having me, Kirra! I always look forward to it! <3
ReplyDeleteI share your prayer, Jennifer! Thank you for blessing me with your comment! Heart Hugs, Shelly <3
ReplyDelete