A Ministry of Flowers

focusing on "whatever is lovely"

Posted by Nancy Lee on June 26, 2021

Two weeks ago, I shared a guest post from Joanna Eccles (Wordsfromthehoneycomb.com). I also had the privilege of posting on her blog on the same day.  Here is an excerpt of my story with a link to the full blog post.

                                                              A Ministry of Flowers

“Finally, brothers, . . . whatever is lovely, . . . if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Philippians 4:8 ESV).

I didn’t realize until the last flower had shriveled, and the vase was put away how the lovely flowers surrounding my mother were encouraging her and lifting her spirits during the most challenging season of her life.

When my mother was diagnosed with brain cancer, we gave up our hopes of celebrating her 90th birthday.  Her doctor told me she probably wouldn’t make it to Thanksgiving, let alone her birthday the following July.

But God had different plans. Ten and a half months after the diagnosis that had threatened to take her life in a few weeks, Mom made it to the 90-year milestone. Mom was in the later stages of cancer by then, so we kept the celebration simple – a special meal and cake with three daughters, a son, and a son-in-law.  And lots of cards and flowers.

Her small apartment was filled with flowers she had received as gifts.  Lavender roses, red carnations, blue hydrangeas, and pink Peruvian lilies set in vases on the table in front of the recliner where she spent her days. More flowers covered her kitchen counter.

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