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How You are Like a Lilac Bloom

There’s Something About a Lilac Bloom

An analogy could be made about lilacs and life and how they fit together. You see, it takes many single lilac petals to form one lilac spray, and then those sprays multiply on branches and then collectively on bushes. There are many parts to the one whole, and they all individually serve as a compliment to one another for a shared purpose.

We as individuals can relate to their beauty and essence.

Our moments in life are much like a lilac bush in full bloom. How we relate as humans on a shared planet unites us in the big picture. We may feel insignificant, but that is not the case. Each individual petal makes a difference.

Your life has a purpose that only you can fulfill, but your life relates to the rest of us because we are in this together.

Lilacs are delightful blossoms made up of star-shaped florets gathered together in a burst of lavender bloom. Their fragrance is an over-powering sensation that drifts in the air on a slightly warm spring day. Their radiance fills in the space with a rich sweetness.

A season does not disappear before I clip a few lilac sprays.

I search to find my trusty red clippers. Then I look over the lilac bushes, my eyes searching for the perfect blooms, ones that are full and don’t have dry brownish edges or tight unopened star-tips.

Bees buzz and hover around me, making the most of the petals’ offerings.

I make my selections and then, snip-snip. Once they are clipped, I trim off any unwanted stems or leaves. Now the blooms are ready. I arrange the lilacs in a royal blue, glazed vase that sets off their beauty. The lilacs will grace my dining room table to enliven the room.

Their intoxicating rich scent and enchanting delicate beauty will create beauty.

Lilac plants are gentle, unassuming flowering bushes and are hearty stock. They require minimal care, no fuss or special treatment. They are like some of us.

My life is like one tiny star blossom, one seemingly insignificant floret. 

I am one of many, like one floret of the many florets that make up a complete bloom. The people I meet touch me, and I touch them, like a hundred florets bunched in a ribbon of glory, breathtaking at times when they are in full bloom. Not fancy, just pretty and useful.

Each small lilac petal is like a life, like my life and your life.

Human interactions have a purpose with a loveliness of their own. When we look at a bush full of lilac blooms, we see a thing of beauty. Yet lilacs would be nothing without the root. They would be nothing without the stem. They would be nothing without their leaves; and they would be nothing without water, sun, or nourishment. All components are essential and necessary for life and are needed for lilacs to exist and live.

The lilac will not have the capacity for beauty unless certain conditions are met.

The same is true for us as well.

In the human realm, God is the ultimate nourishment for a life of beauty, one that produces and radiates fragrant loveliness. The roots absorb the nutrients. That is the way I see God and how He refreshes the inner self. He provides the spiritual nourishment we as humans need to live a healthy spiritual life. I also see God in the sun and sunshine, in the energy force that is needed for life to exist.

Living beings, plants, animals, and humans in this created world are creatures of commonalities.

The natural world is replete with examples of life-giving qualities. It continually replicates and reproduces an energy flow that empowers all living things and it is an essential necessity for life to exist.

My life may not be much in the grand scheme of things.

What I offer is not prestigious or unusually gifted; but like one miniature star floret, my life is one life that can be a blessing to others. You and I have a beauty of our own that each of us can share with those we meet. We may be one of many, but that means little in the scheme of things. We all have something to give.

Shine brightly where you are planted, and I will do the same.

Bloom like a lilac.

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Life is Beautiful

My family was at a wedding a week ago; all of my five kids, my grandchildren and me. Quite a feat. It was almost three years since we had all been together. What a joy for this mama.

Only one of my five is married and she is in the middle of it with teaching her kids and taking care of her family and two dogs. She’s a fantastic (exotic) cook, too! Her husband is a military man, and he’s the best! Then my sons. One is just out of the navy. One is in the tech field and one works as a truck driver for a trash company. All are hard workers and I’m pleased with their efforts to make their own way. My youngest is in college and works at a job in the video game field. When she and I visit a restaurant, park, or store in town, people come up to her and ask her questions. They recognize her and usually want some advice on this game or that. She seems to be noticed wherever we go. It’s quite the experience for me to see my youngest make her mark in the world.

I wish they all lived around here. Alas, they don’t.

When you think of the big picture, the time of actual child raising goes by rather quickly. We are teaching and showing by our examples. We have fun and go to church and enjoy camping and so forth. One of the curious things about child rearing is what we teach our children is not always exactly what we live. That is the challenge. To be who we should be and model self control and Christian attitudes and values. Parents who talk the talk but don’t walk the walk will hit a wall some day. But all parents hit a wall some day. It is part of the process. Parents learn a lot through their parenting. Most of us have had some upsets that came with the teen years. And we’ve had the joys like a note that says, “Thanks, Mother.”

It is a good thing to let your kids know you appreciate them.

I look at my grown children and see what virtues and attitudes are present in their lives. Like my parents before me, I had hopes and dreams, wishes and wants. Some values I purposed to teach. Those mean the most to me and I am pleased when I see them surface in my children’s lives. I find that as a parent you never stop worrying and you never quit praying. That is part of being a Christian parent. The three evils–the world, the flesh, and the devil–are ever present distractions and offer temptations. One must be spiritually vigilant. That is why I pray. My kids need support and they need godly wisdom. I desire God to be an active part in their lives. They are in the middle of a battle field, and it ain’t easy, either. Prayer is God’s business. I have seen Him act in response to my prayers on a number of occasions. God is to be praised with each victory and success.

Life is beautiful.