Jesus Sent Me Flowers!

And Got My Soul Singing :)

Stirring the giant pot of pasta boiling on my stove, I heard another “ding, dong!”

Several group members had already arrived, removing jackets and shoes and making their way into my kitchen. Conversation hummed as friends caught up with each other, and new ones met. We’d missed the first small group meeting due to travel, so I was excited to be home hosting the dinner tonight.

My husband hauled open the front door and called out into the raw Sunday evening.

“Hi, I’m James. You must be the new folks. You’re in the right spot!” He held the door open as they climbed our front steps.

Swiping hair behind my ear, I took one last stir and wiped my damp hands on a kitchen towel. I wanted to welcome these new members as well.

“Excuse me!” I laughed as I pushed past everyone and strode down the hall.

“Hi, you must be Shannon and Adam! I’ve heard so much about you!”

“Yep. And these are for you!” Shannon thrust out the cutest little arrangement of fresh fall flowers.

I glanced down at them. Oh, my goodness! My eyes feasted on the beautiful gold, magenta, burnt orange, and burgundy mums mixed with a pale yellow carnation and two eucalyptus sprigs. I immediately recognized the arrangement.

“Shannon, thank you! I love flowers and these are gorgeous! That’s so kind of you!”

Overwhelmed by the noise and the unexpected gesture, I didn’t quite catch her next comment. Perhaps she said she felt she should bring them, or didn’t want to arrive emptyhanded, I can’t remember for sure.

What I DID know without a doubt was that Jesus prompted her to bring these flowers! Words caught in my throat, and I knew the boiling rigatoni didn’t give me time to explain.

Back in the kitchen, my secret made me smile. I set the flowers on the table and hurried to the stove. A scene from Friday, two days earlier, ran through my head.

*****

I’d headed into Heinen’s, one of my favorite grocery stores, to grab some specialty food items that other groceries didn’t carry. My first stop was the floral department at the front of the store.

Earlier in the week, James and I’d run into one of his old work buddies, Jerry, and his wife, Joanne, at the park in our neighborhood. We hadn’t seen them in a month and knew they’d been tending to Joanne’s mom, recently placed in hospice. Tentatively, I asked Joanne how things stood with her mother.

“She passed away last Tuesday,” Joanne said. “It was kinda sudden. I…” Joanne’s eyes filled with tears as she choked out “I… lost...my…best friend!”

My heart went out to her. I wrapped her in my arms, holding her for an extended hug. “I’m so sorry, Joanne. I know how hard it is to lose a mom.” Indeed, it all came rushing back, even a decade later.

I shared a memory about the difficulty surrounding my mom’s last week on earth, which seemed to drag out forever. Joanne nodded as she regained composure, and then she and Jerry took turns filling us in on her mother’s last month. It was a tender time of listening and offering comfort as we could.

“Hey, are you guys busy Friday night?” Jerry asked. “We wanted to invite you over. The weather’s been so beautiful, maybe we can sit on our front porch.”

“Yes, please!” echoed Joanne. “I could use the distraction after cleaning out my mom’s house all week.”

“Sounds great. Joanne, we’ll bring some snacks. Looking forward to it!” I added as we parted ways.

And that’s how I ended up in the flower section that day. I wanted to buy something for Joanne in remembrance of her mother.

I poked around all the fresh flowers in their white plastic display tubs. I searched for the prettiest and most delicate pink roses they had. But as lovely as they were, many had seen better days.

These aren’t going to last much longer, I thought, disappointed. I lifted my eyes to view the plants along the wall--succulents, potted plants, and a few older orchids. Nothing really struck me.

As I turned to the last little display, my eyes widened. Oh, wow! Tiny arrangements of fresh fall flowers encircled a pedestal, looking exactly like layers in a beautiful fall cake! Each small arrangement resembled its neighbor--artfully arranged mums in gold, magenta, burnt orange, and burgundy, one pastel yellow carnation, with a eucalyptus sprig on each side.

These proud little flower arrangements glowed with autumn sunshine, and I absolutely adored them. I wanted to scoop up the entire display and cart it back to my home!

Instead, I picked out one of the sunshiny arrangements and placed it on the front seat of my cart. Briefly, I entertained the thought of bringing one home for myself but thought better of it. I’d already brought home two outdoor mums, and my foods and medicines weren’t cheap. I headed toward the frozen section, pleased with my find for Joanne.

Once home, I unloaded my groceries and carefully brought the flowers inside.

“Look what I found for Joanne!” I gushed. “Aren’t they beautiful! I’m hoping it will cheer her up; It’s so hard for a daughter to lose her mom.”

“You’re thoughtful like that—that wouldn’t have occurred to me!” my husband admitted.

For the next six hours, I enjoyed the bright little bouquet of golden light on my countertop before transporting it into Joanne’s home and care.

*****

Back in the present, I worked on stirring the sauce into the drained pasta, savoring what had just happened.

Shannon and I had never met in person before that moment. Obviously, she knew nothing about the flowers I’d given away on Friday. Of all the arrangements she could’ve brought me that evening, she’d picked the same ones I fell in love with two days earlier.

Lots of friends know I love flowers; but I figured Jesus was the only one who knew how much I loved THESE particular ones. I felt like I might be glowing the rest of the evening!

The longer I walk with Jesus, the more special moments like this occur. Messages just for me that only Jesus knows I need. The perfect verse appearing multiple times in one day. The right song plays on the radio at the perfect time. Some gift in response to a thought that no one could possibly know. It’s like receiving a special God-wink assuring me of His love and that He’s closer than I think.

I’m reminded of Psalm 37:4, “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Knowing God sees me thrills my heart and adds a spring to my steps. Like Mary, Jesus’ mother, I ponder these special moments, figuratively setting them into my living altar as ‘stones of remembrance’ from a loving God.

Yes, Jesus sent me flowers through my new friend Shannon, and the secret place in my heart is still full.

How about you? Do you have any stories of how Jesus surprised you with unexpected delight? A time when He sent assurance that you are seen and loved?Share below in the comments if you’d like!