What is it about my fingers on a keyboard that brings forth confessions of my soul? I start typing, and before you know it, I’ve already thrown myself under the bus. Yet more treadmarks on my backside today.

I have an addiction. Well, let me clarify and say that it is a mostly a seasonal addiction. Mostly. It hits this time of year, and I can hardly restrain myself. I am not safe. I cannot be trusted. I’m assaulted and tempted everywhere I go.

The addiction? Flowers and other green things! Annuals, perennials, ferns, hanging baskets, shrubs, roses, you name it. I. Want. Them. All.

Case in point: My washing machine died on Friday. Yes, it is not enough that we had a week of absolutely gloomy weather, but to top it off, the washer died an unexpected death… with a full load of partially washed blue jeans in its bowels… and freezing rain and dropping temperatures outside. Oh the joy.

So you know what that means. A trip to Lowes for a replacement. Now, let me tell you this. I can shop for hours to find that just right pair of boots, but when it comes to an appliance, I just need one that works. I’m not into fancy. I’m not into high tech. Just. Work. When. I. Turn. You. On.

So after a quick perusal, I select a washer and the super nice guy at Lowes goes back to get it. And that’s when the urge came on. You see, Lowes had the main aisles of the store full of all the plants that had to be brought inside because of the freezing weather. And there was this Kangaroo Paw Plant. Seriously. Beautiful. And Coreopsis. Poppies. Daisies. Hostas. I wanted them ALL. The only problem was that I didn’t have a shopping cart. And we’d just shelled out an arm and half a leg for a washing machine… that would definitely not bloom! And, I had Brad with me so there was no sneaking them home.

Proof of the problem… I bought these last week… when it was freezing outside and impossible to plant them… but who can resist Snapdragons?! On the other hand, I could totally justify the tulips because they were only $1 each! A bucket of happy for $6 bucks!

And then there are the ones that are currently inside… in multiple places… because outside is too cold:

There is a point to all this. I promise.

And it’s not that I love flowers.

The point to all this… my hubby knows!

Not only does he tolerate it when every trip to Lowes also means a quick run through the outdoor plant area… and when it’s cold outside, he helps haul them in… and when it’s the heat of summer,  and he waters the masses…

Not only does he tolerate it, but he also uses it to show his love for me.

Yes. That.

Case in point: Flowers on back porch waiting to be planted. Not to be confused with flowers inside waiting to be put back on porch, plus tulips on island in kitchen.

Even with all that, I come in from prison last night to find a fresh bouquet of flowers… still in the plastic wrapper… with their super long stems… boldly protruding from a milk glass pitcher…

And. I. Know. That. I. Am. Loved.

And not just because of the flowers, but because they came from HEB.
And that means he went to the grocery store.
A chore I detest, and one he does every week.
And he even bought the new detergent I wanted for the new washer.

I don’t tell that story to brag on Brad, although he’d sure be worthy of it because he puts up with me. I tell that story to encourage each of you. Loving others is NOT a feeling. It’s a choice. It’s intentional. It’s work.

But mostly, it’s worth it! Not just because of what we do for another person, but because of what God does for us…

1 John 4:12 tells us, “No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is made complete in us.”

For the days on this earth, what could be better than that?
To have God living in us…
To have His love made complete in us.

Go forth today… and love wildly!