Tuesday, July 3, 2018

Lilac Symphony

Lilac Symphony


The day was etched in my mind as we walked through a garden with so many beautiful flowers. We visited the Botanical Gardens in New York. As we came upon a vineyard of flowers which from afar looked like grapes. The closer we came the air had such an intoxicating wonderful smell of lilac. The bushes vaulted above our heads,  filled with the beautiful purple flowers surrounding it. The light from the sun filtered through the petals seemingly reaching up to embrace it. Coming home I knew I had to paint it.

How much are we like the flowers? Our lives can be viewed like God's fragrant symphony. Each of us who choose to lift up prayers to him are a sweet smelling fragrance to his nostrils. The sweetest smell that draws him near to us. (Psalm 141:2) Is there a voice that you love to hear? A loved one? This is how God is when we talk to him.

As a sweet smelling flower, we grow in light, water and care. Plants love the sunlight. We all need light to live and guide our way. We know that nothing can be seen without light. We can see how many of us love sunlight by the crowded beaches year after year. Many vacations are planned to go to sunny locations.

Water. Water gives life. "Water is the driving force of all nature." ~ Leonardo Di Vinci. The importance of water is in our daily lives. Life ceases without it. After the rain, the flowers bloom and thrive. "Rivers of Living Water..." For those who thirst for it, it's promised to those who seek after Christ. (John 7:37-39)

Lilacs are a summer flower which can quickly take over any ground if you let it. Cutting them back or trimming them is a must. Near my driveway is a lilac bush which needed to be cut because it quickly overtakes other nearby plants. There is a time to do it. There are things we need to "trim" out in our lives to be healthy. Perhaps Robert Schuller said it best, "Never cut a tree down in the wintertime. Never make a negative decision in the low time. Never make your most important decisions when you are in your worst moods. Wait. Be patient. The storm will pass. The spring will come."

Hope you enjoyed reading my thoughts on my painting. May it also encourage you.

Prints available here: Lilac Symphony