What can carry me?

A Perfect Flower
Tuesday, May 31, 2016 by Cathy Everitt

                         A perfect flower is almost…
 

I just watched a film. A middle-aged woman rejected being called “beautiful,” saying, “No, I’m not beautiful. I’m almost old.” The next day, her admirer told her he had meditated on her statement and realized “a perfect flower is almost old.”

When we see rosebuds and unopened gardenia buds, they show us a promise of beauty, but they cannot compare with the mature flowers that are almost old. My gardenias are making my home smell delicious right now. The slightly yellowed, already-old ones smell the best. They remind me of a promise God gave through His devoted follower, Paul. When he wrote his second letter to Corinthian believers, he said: God always leads us in His triumph, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.

I love remembering that as long as we have a pulse, we have a purpose. God is able to use us and shine through us. He can do it when we don’t feel shiny, and even when we feel almost-old or already-old. He is able to show His beautiful love, mercy, and grace through His imperfect followers. Let’s ask him to remind us how He’s done it in the past. How do you want to do it, through us, today, Lord?

Without His love working within us, our lives won’t smell great. We won’t look beautiful, no matter how much we spend on cosmetics. But when we get filled up with Him, the unsurpassed power of His love can flow through. He will reveal the beautiful fragrance of Christ through us, regardless of age or blemishes.

Share This Blog:


Comments

JMTally From Tallahassee, FL At 6/7/2016 7:39:03 AM

The blog is lovely altogether! I am so blessed and yet, often find myself in one of those dark places - then I remind myself of all that HE has done for me and continues to do for me. Your blog helps me do that. Thank You.

Hannah May From Panama City At 6/1/2016 10:30:29 PM

Cathy, I absolutely love this blog, and your website. It is so perfectly YOU. You are a special treasure.

Lois Galbraith From PanamaCity, Florida At 6/1/2016 10:10:10 PM

Dear Cathy I needed to see this message today. What a nice way to think of aging gracefully. In Gods eyes we are all beautiful and important. Thank you for reminding me. Sincerely Lois

Susan Bégin From Ormond Beach FL At 6/1/2016 8:50:11 PM

Beautiful, Cathy. I look forward to reading more encouraging posts. Praying that your blog offers encouragement to others.

Ruth From PC At 6/1/2016 2:11:06 PM

Beautifully said, Cathy! I will be checking back with you for encouragement!

Sherry Anderson From Panama City, FL At 6/1/2016 12:38:12 PM

Thanks for the encouragement! You are a blessing.

Lisa Harris From Panama City Beach At 6/1/2016 11:34:04 AM

Thanks for reminding this ""almost old"" person that I''m still beautiful to the ones that matter :) I also like to take my roses, when they are getting old and dry them... then I can enjoy them for years longer.

Subscribe to my list


Previous Posts

This Day
Cathy Everitt

10/6/2021

What keeps me safe?
Cathy Everitt

6/22/2021

Jan
Cathy Everitt

6/17/2021

The Treasure
Cathy Everitt

2/23/2021

(Don’t) Follow Your Heart?
Cathy Everitt

2/11/2021

What’s that smell?
Cathy Everitt

1/27/2021

This Moment
Cathy Everitt

1/14/2021

Do your curls, girls!
Cathy Everitt

1/6/2021

Forgotten Holiday Promise
Cathy Everitt

12/10/2020

The Flea and the Cosmos
Cathy Everitt

11/19/2020

Who’s Driving Me?
Cathy Everitt

11/12/2020

Safe and Sound
Cathy Everitt

6/24/2020

Patience
Cathy Everitt

2/27/2020

Holiday Loneliness?
Cathy Everitt

12/30/2019

Haunted? What a Shame.
Cathy Everitt

10/30/2019

What Are We Celebrating?
Cathy Everitt

7/3/2019

Where’s The Remote?
Cathy Everitt

6/24/2019

Post-Hurricane Prayer
Cathy Everitt

1/17/2019

Does God Celebrate?
Cathy Everitt

12/12/2018

What For?
Cathy Everitt

10/5/2018

Birthright?
Cathy Everitt

9/1/2018

Exclamation Points
Cathy Everitt

8/20/2018

Shaking?
Cathy Everitt

7/26/2018

Radiance, Not Wrinkles
Cathy Everitt

11/21/2017

Walkin' and Talkin'
Cathy Everitt

9/22/2017

Touches
Cathy Everitt

9/8/2017

The Worry List
Cathy Everitt

7/17/2017

Unanswered prayer?
Cathy Everitt

5/21/2017

Who's Your First Love?
Cathy Everitt

4/9/2017

Worse Than Sickness
Cathy Everitt

12/6/2016

The Highest Price
Cathy Everitt

11/28/2016

No Perfect Christmas
Cathy Everitt

11/21/2016

Sacrificing Thanks
Cathy Everitt

11/14/2016

The Director
Cathy Everitt

11/7/2016

Watching Dead People
Cathy Everitt

10/31/2016

Against The Goad
Cathy Everitt

10/24/2016

Eating His Words
Cathy Everitt

10/17/2016

Glory
Cathy Everitt

10/9/2016

What Does The Future Hold?
Cathy Everitt

10/4/2016

More Sweetness
Cathy Everitt

9/27/2016

Delicious Cycle Revisited
Cathy Everitt

9/20/2016

A Delicious Cycle
Cathy Everitt

9/13/2016

Winning and Losing
Cathy Everitt

9/6/2016

When I lose, I win
Cathy Everitt

8/30/2016

Sunrise
Cathy Everitt

8/23/2016

Impressions of Amsterdam
Cathy Everitt

8/16/2016

Sing 'Til I'm Satisfied
Cathy Everitt

8/8/2016

Ever-Increasing
Cathy Everitt

7/26/2016

Corrie
Cathy Everitt

7/11/2016

Favorites?
Cathy Everitt

6/28/2016

I love reminders from these guys...
Cathy Everitt

6/14/2016

How Can I Help?
Cathy Everitt

6/7/2016

A Perfect Flower
Cathy Everitt

5/31/2016