Random Beauty

One of seven vases filled to overflowing


I wish you could smell the fragrance

It seems my mind has been unable to join more than a couple of sentences together of late. Too much going on, I suppose. Here's a few rambling thoughts that have been stirring around in my brain...

Is it possible that all of my peonies have bloomed, been picked, arranged in seven vases, and placed in rooms throughout the house. The beautiful fragrance of peonies has been everywhere. After almost two weeks, sad as it made my heart, they were gathered together and thrown away. But not until my face was buried in the depths of the soft pillowy petals and I took one last very long and deep breath as a way to remember their fragrance until next year.

Isaac Shaw, a pastor from North India, spoke at our church a few weeks ago. I have not been able to shake from my mind his words that day. I hope to write about it soon (although you can hear it here... www.parksidechurch.com/learn/sermons, May 16, 2010, archive). If they had failed in Chapter 1, they would have failed in Chapter 3. A compromised lifestyle eliminates the possibility of standing for Jesus. Referring to Daniel Chapter 1 and Daniel Chapter 3.

This is one of the first hymns I taught my children many years ago. This verse in particular has been on my heart.

This is my Father's world.
O let me ne'er forget
that though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet.

Maltbie D. Babcock
1858-1901

Every year I plant annuals. A lot of annuals...7 to 10 flats worth. I used to plant them in the ground. Then I moved to pots and in the ground. Last year was the first time I planted all the flowers in pots, all 20 pots worth. I found pots were a little more difficult for the chipmunks to destroy the flowers when they burrowed under them. That is, until this year. My biggest pot, filled with beautiful impatiens, has been destroyed. One. flower. at. a. time. I have no idea how (it's not slugs), but every flower has been clipped off at the base. So far, none of the other pots have been attacked. Just this one. The really big pot. The one with a zillion flowers. One. flower. at. a. time. I guess this is payback for not planting any in the ground. Nice.

I was reminded last night as I stood at my counter making a coconut cream pie (to take to my dear friend, Teri's, this afternoon) that it wasn't too long ago that the thought of making a pie made me sweat. Honestly, I would never have even given it a thought...making a pie. As I stood there rolling out the pie crust, I found myself so thankful for the opportunity to make something and give it to someone else. It's always good to give. A smile. A hug. A tissue. A pie. Time.

The sun is shining. The sky is blue. The grass is green. The roses are red. The lavender is purple. The day lillies are yellow. The hydrangeas are just starting to bloom and they are blue and pink. It's a rainbow of random beauty just for today.