Needing a Guide.

Amidst the winter storm watch (and a nice load of snow), I went to Columbus to visit my sister and brother-in-law for the weekend. My sister had invited me to her work’s floral class where we made our own Easter/spring-like vase centerpieces.

After we finished our bouquets, the rest of the time was for an experiment. My sister had never made this display piece before. With a room full of creative ladies–the event turned out to be a great social time of sharing ideas and learning more about flowers. I just tried to follow along as best I could. 🙂 The result: a bunny rabbit centerpiece! (The rabbit is white carnations…the tail carnation sprayed pink. Paper ears, but rose petals for the inner ear. And some sort of filler is sprayed black for the eyes/nose.)

 @ The Flowerman. Columbus, OH.

I probably could have made the bouquet centerpieces on my own–just due to floral experience [I worked three summers in high school at a flower shop]–but I don’t think that they would have turned out as beautiful as they did without the coaching help from my sister. I don’t remember flower names, so if I went to order flowers I would be at loss. I would not have thought of burlap, lace or raffia for the jar decorations, let alone using canning jars for the vase. Having the guidance from someone experienced made all the difference.

Guidance can come with just about anything: My parents helped guide me in making wise decisions as I grew up; I see it in my physical therapy sessions as my PT shows me stretches that help my body; my doctors guide me in helping me understand my MRI results and researching the best treatments or actions to follow; my pastors and Bible study leaders at church encourage and guide me to become more Christ-like.

For me, guidance is important. I think it goes with my personality…not a leader, so I lean on others when I make decisions. I am slowly learning to make the decisions on my own…building confidence and taking responsibility for my actions. And it is hard. Being a passive personality feels like sitting on the fence; like being afraid of the 50/50 chance of getting it wrong or being the only one doing it different.

In Mel Gibson’s movie, The Patriot, Benjamin Martin gives his new daughter-in-law the necklace that had once belonged to his late wife. As he puts the talisman of Polaris around her neck, Benjamin says, “It’s the North Star. That is the only star in the sky that never moves. It is constant, unwavering. A guide.” I wrote this quote down in my “favorite quotes” journal; to think that something in this ever-changing world is constant–a guide.

Then I think of my journey in life: ever-changing and wavering as if being blown by the wind. But I have a stronghold. God has given me his own constant guide: his Word:

Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

Psalm 46:10, “God is our refuge and strength; a very present help in trouble.”

Jeremiah 33:3, “Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.”

I am never alone–in everything–God’s presence is here: “It is constant, unwavering. A guide.” ❤