You may be asking yourself, "What is THAT?"
Well, it's called, when you need a centerpiece for the table, "work with what you have". We had some guests for dinner the other evening, and I needed a centerpiece. I do not like to use artificial arrangements unless I am desperate...and since moving to the forest I have been determined not to be that desperate and to make do with whatever the Lord provides. This may not be that artistically and aesthetically perfect....but it made me happy because the Lord provided...Look closer, you will see a magnolia blossom not quite opened, and on either side of that are two magnolia seeds, from blossoms already past their prime. The beautiful green, waxy magnolia leaves are freshly opened after the old leaves dropped away leaving these new ones...a part of the beauty of a magnolia tree as it renews itself each year.
Something to think about:
II Corinthians 2:14-16
Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ,
and through us diffuses the fragrance of His
knowledge in every place.
For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are
being saved and among those who are perishing.
To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death,
and to the other the aroma of life leading to life.
And who is sufficient for these things?"
Some questions to ponder:
What are some examples of ways that you have had to "work with what you have"?
What kind of fragrance am I? Are you?
How can we use what we have to be a blessing to someone today?
I am hopeful that I am the sweet fragrance of Christ, but as far as earthly fragrances go, I love the peony. Beautiful centerpiece. I think my centerpiece would have to be gravy!! Lol!
ReplyDeleteHa Ha! Gravy is always good, no matter where it sits on the table! And yes, you ARE a sweet fragrance to Christ...no doubt about it. I love the peony also, but it doesn't grow here in Florida. So the rose is my favorite, then I do love lilacs, but they don't grow here either, and lavender is my all time favorite scent.
DeleteIt's perfect!
ReplyDeleteYou are so sweet. Thank you. I knew you'd appreciate it! You are always so positive! :) And you are also a sweet fragrance unto the Lord.
DeleteIts really pretty! Magnolias are so beautiful. I think pretty centerpieces are important for a nice meal.
ReplyDeleteI agree...I always love to put something in the middle of the table other than food. Sometimes I have to get extra creative to come up with something "interesting". But I love it when God provides the beauty right before our eyes...we just have to recognize it for what it is!!
DeleteI love the green candles! Really made it into a beautiful centerpiece! I'm sure your guests appreciated your creativity. God gives us so many beautiful creations to work with and enjoy! God bless you!
ReplyDeleteI love those green candles too...Walmart...I need to get some more as those are almost melted down...I enjoy lighting candles too! Thank you for stopping in for a visit!! Always a delight!
DeleteMy all-time favorite flower is lilacs also, but they don't grow in Arizona, it's too hot for them. (Today was 103 and tomorrow will be 105.)
ReplyDeleteWhew...that IS hot!! I don't think I could handle that high of temp, even if you don't have humidity! Thank the Lord for air conditioning, right?
DeleteThat is so nice. I love your flowers! I agree with Sandi: it is perfect.
ReplyDeleteWork with what you have. I am a writer and I have to work with what God me gave. It is sometimes hard, sometimes funny, sometimes is it grace. I love to be in the things of my Father. Writing, thinking, sharing.
And you do that so beautifully. I do look and read your posts, but I don't always comment because I get busy and forget to comment. But you have a gift for writing, and it is a blessing to all of us. I love how God works through our blogs here to connect so many people from so many different places. Such a joy!!
DeleteI love it! Yes, what a sweet fragrance! I love using fresh flowers and greenery from my yard Pam. I think it makes it extra special. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
ReplyDeleteIt's fun to just see what can be put together with a little imagination! Never two the same, that's for certain! And here in Florida we have a lot of interesting things to work with...we just need to look and see what the Lord hath provided!!
DeleteI can almost smell them, they are so pretty. You have such a pretty yard with so many lovely things.
ReplyDeleteYou are very kind. If you actually saw my yard you would wonder where all these things come from...our yard is very sandy and "scrubby"..."Scrub" is what they call this part of the Ocala National Forest... and many of the things that I enjoy most are the wild and natural things that grow here. I don't have a green thumb, so I cherish every single flower that does actually bloom! Thank you for your kind thoughts.
DeleteLovely centerpiece and terrific creativity. For a long time I have been, like you, a fan of working with what I have on hand. I admire what you have done here.
ReplyDeleteAs for what fragrance describes me? I truly don't know, but I caught a whiff of gardenias last week and it was heavenly!!
Oh yes, the gardenias are blooming around the neighborhood. I don't have any in my yard...I can't get too close or they give me a headache, but I still think they are lovely and heavenly "from a distance". Ha ha. Thank you for popping in. It's fun to see what the Lord provides from His own creation for us to enjoy.
DeleteBeautiful centerpiece, Pamela! And there is no fragrance more enchanting than that of the magnolia - just love it.
ReplyDeleteMay we spread a fragrance as sweet as that when we spread the Good News of Jesus to others.
Blessings!
I agree about the fragrance of the magnolia blossom. It is such a light lemony scent...very delicate, but so pleasant. And yes...may our fragrance be sweet to Christ as we share Him with everyone wherever we are...
DeleteIt is beautiful. I like the magnolia. The leaves look as if they are protecting the flower. I especially like the purple wisteria blossom.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cecelia...I'm glad you enjoyed this...and that little wisteria just had to be included...so few are blooming now...they already had their show earlier in the spring, but every day now since we've had so much rain I'm seeing some others popping out. I love to see them. Have a blessed day my friend.
DeleteGreat post, Pamela! Using what we already have on hand is a great way to be creative. Recently, I've been pondering (at least from time to time) about who around me gives off the aroma of Christ (this morning I think I prayed that for myself).
ReplyDeleteBlessings!