Hello ,

A good good friend of our family, Esther jotted down the following note and sent it with me yesterday morning. I wanted to share it with The Open Word subscribers.

Song of Solomon 2:12
The flowers appear on the Earth, the time of singing has come...

My friend, Mary, has an Epiphyllum plant in her garden that she proudly boasts on FB once a year. For one night only the beautiful, delicate white flowers of this plant open revealing a fragrance so intoxicating that Mary built a rolling planter to not only show off and support the vines, but also to allow her to move the plant closer to her so she can enjoy the full expression of its white blossoms as long as they last.

To me, this plant is a profound reminder of how God sees us. He doesn’t compare us to all the other flowers in the garden, wondering why other flowers are able to bloom more often, in greater quantities or as a precursor to fruit.

He simply adores us exactly as we are, nurturing and supporting each one of us in the best way possible. He understands our weaknesses and builds us up with his strength. He protects us, he loves us, and when we are ready to bloom, he brags on our beauty and our fragrance.

Why, then, do we tear ourselves down with painful comparisons to what others have and what we lack?

Why do we burden others with expectations of who they should be and how they should act?

“yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:29‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Well said, Esther!

Have a great day and God bless!

Pastor Mike / The Open Word