Love never fails.
1 Corinthians 13:8, NKJV
Did you know that every life is like a flower?
Under the right conditions and given the right nutrients, a flower will thrive. But when the right conditions and nutrients are lacking, a flower will fade.
I have seen a lot of fading flowers through my life. Some I have been given the privilege to nurture back to vitality, while others I have not. But I’m grateful to God who has given me eyes to see the fading flowers around me and to love them with the love He gave me when I too was once fading.
As part of God’s beautiful plan, He has given each of us the ability and opportunity to nurture the flowers He divinely puts into our paths.
Whether those flowers are planted in our lives for just a season or for a lifetime, we can make a difference in their lives!
On this Valentine’s Day, I wanted to share a poem that I wrote a couple years ago and presented to my oldest daughter on her eighteenth birthday. Maybe it will inspire you in your role as a nurturer—or encourage you as one who needs nurturing.
In either case, you may go through times when it feels as if life is failing you. In those times, remember that God’s love will never fail you!
He not only loves you, but He also loves the ones you are seeking to nurture, and He will give you all that you need to love them with the same love with which He loves you.
The Nurturing of a Flower
Nurturing a flower
takes time and attention,
the water of patience,
the food of understanding.
But without the sunshine of love,
the flower will die.
Wilting, the flower will not thrive.
Time without love is cold and retreating.
Attention without love is frivolous and defeating.
Patience without love is passive aggression,
calm on the outside, while on the inside festering.
The food of understanding satisfies completely,
where love is abundant and freely given.
For without love, understanding fades;
contention results, and the flower pulls away.
The flower is sensitive to the truth; it thrives when things are right and love is pursued.
Tenderness keeps the flower straight.
Steadily listening to the Gardener’s voice, it does not falter or faint.
The Gardener must lend His listening ear,
for once the flower loses heart, He calms its fears.
Flower, don’t lose hope when the storms come your way
and the tassels of life unravel and you begin to sway.
Don’t give up, fragile flower; God is drawing you near
to replenish your aching soul and dry your rain of tears.
Hold on to hope. Let God, the Gardener, hold your hand,
bolstering your roots, helping you stand.
New life infused, like rays of bright sun.
Powered out from His heart, freely given from His Son.
Cherish its glimmer.
Soak in its light.
Dance in its radiance.
Receive your sight.
See yourself through His vision.
Your Gardener calls you by name.
His love for you is everlasting.
You are without blame.
Precious in His sight, each flower;
a plan for each one.
Like raindrops melting into the ocean,
His delight in you has begun.
Tender little flower, God is by your side,
to carry you through the darkness,
to be your shining light.
Dear heavenly Father, I pray for all Your precious flowers. I pray for the ones who are faithfully nurturing others and those who need to be nurtured. I pray that You will meet each one in their area of need, making Your grace abound where they fall short and giving them Your strength when they are weak. Revive each one today with Your abounding love—a love that never fails, in Jesus’ precious name. Amen.