Flower Power…and a Blessing

Amidst my new acquisitions is a die set from Eileen Hull for Sizzix. They are pretty dies, and I had fun with them. 

First up, white-on-white—I know, you’re shocked—with some texture from a handwritten script embossing folder I just adore. The pink on the flowers was added by flicking a bit of color with a Copic marker. The rhinestones are not that dark in real life. The sentiment comes from Simon Says. 

Next up, more white-on-white (surprised?). This time, I colored the white, die-cut flowers and leaves with ink scribbled onto an acrylic block (Memento markers) and spritzed with water. The totally random effect made me so happy! The centers of the flowers are filled with black diamond Stickles. It’s much more sparkly in person. 

Both of these cards are light, fresh, and pretty. Which makes me happy.

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Now for a God moment. Even if you’re a nonbeliever, my experience last Wednesday may bless you in this time of chaos and conflict.

Feeling groovy and upbeat, I walked across campus from the Adjunct Support office to my classroom. I passed a woman who was walking slowly, made eye contact with her, and smiled. After a few more steps, she called out to me. 

“I have to thank you,” she said. “As you passed me, I felt the spirit of my mother. She died two weeks ago, and feeling her again with me was such a blessing. Your energy reminds me so much of her. Do you mind if we pray together?”

No, I did not mind at all. 

We spoke for a bit, and I shared that I am a Stephen Minister. She’d never heard of Stephen Ministry, but wanted to know more. By “coincidence” I had a copy of the first volume of a 4-volume booklet from Stephen Ministry written to help people through their grief. My plan had been to give it to a colleague in the English Department who lost two loved ones in very quick succession, but God clearly had a different plan. I offered it to my new friend, and she gratefully accepted it and gave me her address so I can mail the remaining three volumes at intervals during the first year of her loss. 

She asked for a selfie with me and her diploma, which she had just picked up. I obliged, a stand-in for her mom who would have loved to see that moment.

I’ll pick up another set of grief books for my colleague this weekend.

God is good, all the time.

All the time, God is good. 

And for those who doubt or believe differently, I hope you will take away from this story that there is good in the world: real humans reaching out and caring for one another, without reference to politics, power, or conflict. Blessings abound, if only we greet them with a smile.

Mercy, grace, peace, and love,

Susan