Weeds and Yard Flowers

Majesty and Summer Glory: That's what happened when I was in charge of decorating a huge gym for a ten year celebration of a wonderful ministry to the homeless, hungry, ex offenders.

In prayer I realized the humble hydrangea and Queen Anne's lace and other roadside weeds could work. But it turned out that seeing it was only part of the wonder. Seems hydrangeas will wilt on you if you don't know how to handle them. So days before the event I was out harvesting these gorgeous blooms.

Here's the trick to keep Hydrangeas from drooping:
1. Cut early in the day.
2. Cut on the diagonal.
3. Pierce with pin
4. Dip in boiling water for 20 seconds
5. Place in cool water and let sit for 2 days
6. Add Sprite to the water

Weeds and Queen's Anne lace:
1. Cut early in the day
2. Let soak in water for a day

Organza cloths made from cloth bought at bargain basement sell out and thousands of blooms in thrift shop vases turned a gym into a summer wonderland.

A week of work paid off. Senators, volunteers, bank executives, state officials, graduates of ex offender programs and their families, etc. were blessed with a wonderland evening of celebrating the goodness of God in miraculous ways.

Those in charge of the food prepared the most delicious and beautiful food. What a night!!

Somehow those weeds and yard flowers make me think of some of our saints who have come from the most humble places. I'm one of those!!! It's taken a lot of preparation to get me to be a use able part of the Body of Christ. Somehow I don't think Apostle Peter or Apostle Paul were easy parts of the Body!!!

Those hydrangeas and weeds were more beautiful than the most expensive florist's flowers I've ever seen. I hope I hold that image in my mind forever. When a troubled soul needs much preparation to be a part of the Body of Christ may I learn from Holy Spirit how to keep them "hydrated" and prevent them from "wilting."