Flower Power

I have been reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp about daring to LIVE fully right where you are.  It is about living a life of joy and waking up to God's everyday blessings.  t takes awareness and slowing.

The other day, I saw this daisy coming up next to my mailbox. I slowed and I noticed.  Do you see how it is not quite completely in full bloom? Just beginning to stretch out its "fingers."

It took me back in my mind to one of the first sermons that I heard when we moved to Atlanta.  The pastor told a story of a little boy that was trying to "open" a flower.  When he tried to do it, the petals just fell to the ground.  He asked his mom why and how God did it.

Later,  he told his mom, "I know...he opens it from the inside out!"  Yes, that is how God does it with flowers and with us, he opens us from the inside out.