Lessons from the Flower Guild
"The glory of Lebanon shall come to you, the pine, the fir, and the cypress together to adorn the place of my sanctuary." Isaiah 60:13 (NIV)
Have you ever admired a skill, talent or ability from afar, but been scared to actually attempt the task for yourself? Perhaps it was trying out for a sport, playing a musical instrument, or singing in front of others. Fourteen years ago, I found myself sitting in a church pew admiring the beautiful flower arrangements that adorned our altar each week. I heard rumors that our Flower Guild ladies had actually attended floral training workshops at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. Looking at the stunning arrangements week after week, it wasn't hard to surmise that the rumors were actually true and that each woman was a professional designer. I could also only imagine what the arrangements must cost our church budget each week. I could NEVER imagine ever being able to put one of those gorgeous creations together for myself.
I grew up as a middle class steel worker's daughter. Between labor union strikes and periodic plant layoffs, Daddy worked hard and was paid well. During the strikes or layoffs, however, money was tight. My parents lived through the Great Depression and had experienced first hand what bondage debt could bring. My Daddy's folks lost their farm during the Depression. Mama and Daddy were determined we weren't going to live beyond our means. That meant that there wasn't extra money for nonessentials like flowers. Mama planted roses and greenery, but that was the extent of my exposure to gardening or flower arranging.
One Sunday I saw an announcement in our church bulletin that caught my attention. The church Flower Guild was accepting new members. Surprisingly, no experience was necessary and periodic floral workshops would be provided for teaching beginners new skills and techniques. Hesitantly, I attended an informational meeting and decided to give it a try. My fear and insecurity almost got the best of me, but my desire to try and learn the "how to" of basic floral design eventually overcame my lingering doubts. I was assigned a team leader and placed on a team with 3-4 other women, none of whom I knew.
At first I was a nervous wreck over cutting flowers, especially the more expensive ones like roses and lilies. My team leader finally told me, "It's like swimming. Eventually you have to get in the pool if you're ever going to learn to swim. CUT and STICK!" And with that, I cut my first rose.
Through the years, I've learned a little bit more about floral design and arranging, but those aren't my most important takeaways from my time with our Flower Guild. Stewardship and building community are the two most important lessons that I've gleaned from my time with the other forty plus women in our Guild. Those "expensive" floral arrangements that I was SURE cost our church a lot of money are more often than not, cuttings from someone's personal garden or leftover/recycled flowers from funeral or wedding arrangements. One of my most memorable recyclable flower stories was from my own daughter's wedding. Some of the hydrangeas used for Meredith's November wedding were amazingly still being used in sanctuary arrangements in February. Flowers used for one event are usually given a fresh cut and placed in our flower coolers to be used for another occasion such as bud vases for our shut-in ministry.
Stewardship, community, fellowship, service, and building life skills are all important lessons that I might have missed had I succumbed to my initial fears, insecurities, and doubts. What about you? Is there some aspect of Body Life in your church or community that you would like to learn but are afraid to try? Maybe it's taking a seminary or counseling class, singing in the choir, or volunteering to lead a small group or Bible study. I have been so blessed to have many mentors and models- folks willing to help me learn, serve, and develop the gifts, talents, and abilities that God has given me. The Apostle Paul was right when he wrote, "From Christ the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." (Ephesians 4:16 emphasis mine)
Our God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and discipline. Get involved in Body Life in your church or community. There’s a lot to learn and love!