Things are not always what they seem

Arent' the flowers on this bush breathtaking? I love them. As I pulled in my parent's driveway I noticed the bright pink flowers right away. Walking through the front door I commented on the beauty of the new flower blossoming.

Dad invited me to join him for a stroll for a closer look. Excited and curious I followed him out the door. He asked, "Did you take a good look at it?" Of course I had only spied it while driving through the intersection and then as I pulled in the drive so my honest answer was "No." He nodded with agreement and as we got closer I noticed why he asked the question.

I saw the beauty in the bush yet this I hadn't seen the entire thing. Only a third had blossomed with the other two-thirds brown and barren. I stared in amazement...deceived by the beauty and my rush to get to the next location.

I think this is true of many aspects of our life. If we are so busy and rushed that we miss the obvious, then we are more likely to be deceived. If we don't pause and slow down to absorb the beauty and truth God offers, then we will be deceived. Instead of rushing through life, we need to be more focused on looking to Him for guidance. 

While I still find this flower beautiful ~ I now can see its flaws and failure to blossom to its full potential. How often have I personally experienced the same outcome? We are as beautifully made as this flower, if not more. What will you do today to water, nurture and nourish the beautiful person God created you to be? I pray we will all reflect God's beauty 110%!

Psalm 139:13-15 NIV
For you created my inmost being;
   you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
   your works are wonderful,
   I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
   when I was made in the secret place,
   when I was woven together in the depths of the earth