Yellow Tulips, Just Because

Years ago when I was in high school, my dad gave me a bouquet of yellow tulips "just because." They were so beautiful that they instantly became my favorite flower. Many years later they were the obvious choice for my wedding bouquet as I married my Bo. I carried 5 long-stem yellow tulips down the aisle, gave one each to my mom and my mother-in-law until I had just three. Each of my bridesmaids carried a single long-stem tulip and my dad, my groom and his groomsmen wore a bud on their lapel. Six months after my wedding, my dad passed away.

Yellow tulips always brighten up my day. They remind me of my dad, they remind me of my wedding day. When I opened up my art shop and prayed for a name, that sweet memory of my dad popped into my head.

"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." Phil 4:8-9

My family likes to sum this verse up as "think happy thoughts". Yellow tulips are my happy thoughts. God has used these flowers to teach me things about simple acts of kindness, unfailing love, commitment, and a promise. He uses the mere thought of them to bring me joy and peace. How often is it that God hands us a beautiful bouquet of yellow tulips just because? Every time your heart swells big, just know that it is God giving you that gift.