Flowers and Fragrance

Soft, fragrant, delicate, fragile: A rose by any other name is still a rose. As William Shakespeare put it, "That which we call a rose by any other name is still as sweet."

On the third day of Creation, the Lord said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." (Genesis 1:11) The variety of plants created by God were phenomenal, each one unique in its own way. Roses, tulips, lilacs, poinsettias, sunflowers--all designed by the hand of God.

Each flower brings beauty, fragrance and color into the world. Pink, red, white, purple, yellow--every color imaginable is reflected in God's handiwork.

The hills of Palestine were bright with spring flowers during the Passover and fathers and mothers told their children of God's wonders. (The Desire of Ages, Ellen G. White, page 76)

"The things of nature are the Lord's silent ministers, given to us to teach us spiritual truths. They speak to us of the love of God and declare the wisdom of the great Master Artist. I love the beautiful flowers. They are memories of Eden, pointing to the blessed country into which, if faithful, we shall soon enter. The Lord is leading my mind to the health-giving properties of the flowers and trees." (The Adventist Home, Ellen G. White, page 147)

Flowers are also a blessing to those who are ill or shut-in as they lift the spirits and add a touch of beauty to the room. "In nature may always be found something to divert the attention of the sick from themselves and direct their thoughts to God." (Ministry of Healing, Ellen G. White, page 265)

Beauty in the Desert

There is beauty all around us--sometimes we just have to take the time to find it.

When we think of beauty, we may picture an island in the tropics with crystal clear water, white sandy beaches and swaying palms. Or we might think of a snow-covered landscape with smoke curling above the chimney of a cabin nestled under a canopy of trees next to a winding river. Do we ever think of a hot, dry barren desert as a thing of beauty?

Temperatures in the desert can soar to over 100 degrees during the summer; not very comfortable for those of us who prefer cooler climates and air-conditioning. However, if you venture out early in the morning, before it gets hot, the sights that greet you can be as beautiful as anything on this earth.

"He hath made everything beautiful in His time." Ecclesiastes 3:11