SON-Flower Faith
By Karen
D’Amore
“From the rising of the sun, to the place
where it sets,
The name of the Lord is to be praised.”
Psalm 113:3 (NIV)
Scanning the room during a staff meeting, my eyes were drawn to
an unfamiliar face. She was young…but poised, with an infectious toothy smil overpowering
her tiny frame. The new beauty school graduate quickly became a vibrant
addition to our team and, like a ray of sunshine, could brighten the darkest of
rooms. I quickly learned Colette’s radiance was a reflection of the “Son” she
worshipped and loved.
Years have passed since that first meeting and though we’re no
longer coworkers, we’re still connected through Facebook. I’ve followed her
courtship, engagement and recent marriage to a godly young man. As I delighted
in the photos of her special day, I found it fitting that this friend - - this
ray of sunshine - - had chosen sunflowers as the primary decorative theme
throughout her wedding. When I enquired about the significance of the
sunflowers, Colette shared how she’s always loved how they’ve brightened her
life…serving as a reminder of God’s Son-shine.
While sunflowers resemble the sun in appearance, they have a characteristic
called heliotropism which refers to the directional growth of a plant in
relation to the sun. Sunflowers are sun-followers! Young sunflowers face
the sun and track with its movement to optimize the use of light. No matter how
small or little light there is, sunflowers are believed to seek out the light
and hold their heads high as if in worship and adoration of the sun. Therefore,
they are a symbol of faithful loyalty to something bigger and brighter than
themselves, embodying adoration, loyalty and longevity.
Less than a month following Colette’s wedding, I learned she’d
been diagnosed with a mass on the brain. As I followed her alarming diagnosis
and prognosis via Facebook, I was touched by her steadfast SON-flower faith. She
kept her face to the SON, loyally willing to accept whatever God chose to plant
in her life. And even in those darkest moments of uncertainty, she always found
the smallest pinhole of Light…as He pierced through her darkness.
Bearing witness to Colette’s medical journey, and observing
parallels in her faith to characteristics of her beloved sunflowers, has drawn
me to adore these symbolic flowers! Just as sunflowers require deep-rooted
planting to prevent them from falling, Colette’s deep-rooted faith has enabled
her to stand firm on the promises of Scripture. And while sunflowers thrive
from exposure to the sun…Colette’s SON-flower faith has thrived through perpetual…SON-exposure.
As a radiant testament to Colette’s SON-worshipping, God has empowered her to
boldly reflect the SON she faithfully follows.
GOING DEEPER:
1. Who/what is your faith reflecting?
FURTHER READING:
Married to Dan,
Karen, a retired police officer, currently works as a Manicurist at Craig Berns
Salon and as an instructor in the Cosmetology Department at WCTC. Karen also
serves on the Welcoming Team at Oakwood.
