Sunday evening we had a farewell party at the only house my children have ever known as “Grandma and Grandpa’s house.” When my mother-in-law moved into assisted living, she sold the house to our daughter who was getting married that year. I have always loved the house; there is a spirit of peace and safety on it. Our daughter and her family lived there for ten years so this will be a bittersweet week as we move them out and help them transition to something different.

Enjoying the last evening of playing with my granddaughters at this place, I took them outside to the swings. As we walked out the door and to the grass, Finley stopped, put her hands on her hips and looked around in amazement. She said, “What happened? Who put all these flowers in our yard? I have to show Mommy!” And she returned to the house to get her mom.

In the same voice of awe, Finley showed her mom the flowers in the yard exclaiming of their unexpected beauty in this place. She also noticed the garden had grown up with flowers too! Her amazement and delight were contagious.

No one else saw what Finley experienced. Oh sure. We saw the same flowers — dandelions and wild violets. But we weren’t amazed and delighted. We all thought the weed kill wasn’t working very well.

I will say, her excitement was contagious. Soon we were picking bouquets of the violets and some early primrose to take in the house.

Tonight, as I experienced Finley’s delight and surprise at all the flowers in the yard, receiving them as a special gift, I was challenged to consider my perspective. Too often I see interruptions or inconveniences as weeds in my day. These are things to be avoided, not applauded. What do I miss because I can’t allow the weeds to be a special gift of beauty? Do I wonder who sent these beautiful interruptions or growl about them?

Consider the inconveniences that pop up in your day. If your perspective changed just a little bit, could there be beauty there?

²⁷“Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. ²⁸And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

Luke 12:27-28