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Learn from the way the wild flowers grow.
—Matthew 6:28
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Does a flower make pronouncements? Does it define itself? Does it box itself in with titles, names, and distinctions?
And yet, “not even Solomon in all his splendor was clothed like one of these.” (Matthew 6:29)
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A flower simply exists.
And its existence glorifies God.
There is no need for it to do more.
By its very existence it magnifies what cannot be further magnified: God’s Presence, God’s Glory, God’s Beauty…
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“I’m a flower.”
“I’m a rose.”
“Look at me!”
Statements such as these we shall never hear.
Flowers are divinely indifferent to the world’s definitions and distinctions, to its approval and applause.
After all, it’s a person who receives the medal at an orchid show, and not the flower herself. No, her finely-placed petals would only be weighed down by such metallic-based ribbons.
What a gift it is to simply exist.
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Flowers don’t cling to seasonal life.
When it’s time to go, they gracefully drop their heads and lose their pedals.
Never has there existed a man as poor as a flower.
Never has mankind so possessed the richness of fleeting, transitory, and momentary life.
It’s their genius to instinctively believe that death leads to new abundant life.
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Flowers graciously receive:
Ladybugs, drops of dew. Beams of light, the relief of shade.
Flowers give and receive as if not a single thing has ever been made by man.
They welcome sun as well as rain.
They never cry over fallen fruit or a stolen piece of pollen.
They quietly applaud instead, rejoicing that their little ones have the opportunity to travel abroad—perhaps even the chance to help nurture a neighbor.
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A flower, perhaps most of all, knows it place.
It never wishes to be bigger or thinner…greener or higher…it never dreams of being more like a tree.
A flower’s blessing is simplicity beyond you and me.
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Christ is a flower.
He is the one true perfect eternal flower, through whom all other flowers partake, toward whom all other flowers reach.
Christ is a flower. His ways are not our own. He simply exists. Bowing His head. Dropping pedals. Feeding hungry bees. Giving and receiving. His identity is crucified—leaving nothing behind but being “qua” being.
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If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith?
—Matthew 6:30
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—Howard Hain
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(Dedicated to Brother Jim, a man who knew how to simply exist.)
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The Victor's Place 
I imagine the busy bee Bee…king attentive to each flower, one by one sipping nectar, completely unaware how its presence collects pollen for numerous species to grow. Like grace we sip from the One who offered his life for love, pouring out upon each individual as needed when asked for and even when unsought. Much like the garden of life which St. Therese, the Little Flower, imagined and wrote about. Thank you for such colorful imagery to reflect on.
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Dear Mr. Hain, roses are red, violets are blue, I love what you just said.⚘🥀 🐞 🙂
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Or, Roses are red, violets are blue, I love what I just read. Thank you..
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Pingback: Friday Thoughts: Being qua Being – Tonya LaLonde
In the garden of grace,
God planted plenty of beauty.
Bloom where you are planted;
Grow at your own pace.
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