Why Plant Flowers
This is writing is from a chapter from my book, "A Woman of Substance," coming out in September. 2023.
Why plant flowers?
The beauty and artistry of flowers show forth our Father's creative hands. The splashes of colors of red, blue, yellow, and purple all mixed in lighten up and beautify personal spaces.
Planting flowers releases life. When you grow flowers, photosynthesis happens; the flower leaves absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen.
Flowers attract pollinators that are responsible for three-quarters of our vital food crops. Pollinators are responsible for approximately three-quarters of our essential food crops. Some crops, like wheat, can be pollinated by wind. But, many others we rely on daily for healthy and balanced nutrition require activity from pollinators—for example, items like vegetables, fruits, and nuts. Planting flowers preserve our ecosystem. Animals and insects must pollinate the majority of plants and flowers, and planting flowers helps with the reproduction of plants and pollinators.
Planting a flower garden is an excellent family activity that gets everyone off the couch and away from their phones. Children love playing in the dirt; growing flowers from seed or transferring starters to a pot is an experience they will never forget.
Here is a process to involve the whole family from beginning to end.
In January, go through seed catalogs and allow everyone to pick something they desire to plant.
In February, plant the starters inside the home.
In March, take the starters outside and plant them in the ground.
In April/May, have a flower potting/planting event and invite everyone over. Afterward, enjoy a nice meal and bless God for all His goodness.
Planting a flower garden is an activity that gives you fresh air, sunshine, and light exercise for your body. That's a good thing. Yet, the most important reason for us, as God's children, to plant flowers is because the Lord wants us to. Many say that planting flowers releases stress and gives them inner calm. The scriptures confirm that. Matthew 6:28-34 reads, "Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness first, and all these things will be added to you.
Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." (ESV)
Consider means "to learn thoroughly, to note accurately, consider well." The first thing when considering lilies or any flower is looking at the flower intently and focusing on its beauty and glory, examining how they grow with relative ease. Flowers bloom. They don't spin out of control; they burst out with life and vibrance. The glory in flowers supersedes the glory of Solomon's kingdom. The Bible says that King Solomon was the richest of all kings. Considering the color, the beauty and life of a flower remind us of how perfect God's creation is toward us.
The Bible states that the flowers neither toil nor spin. Toil here means growing weary, tired and exhausted, working hard." Spin means to spin and twist. You've heard the phrase, "All twisted up in knots?"
Flowers don't experience any of that, and God clothes them perfectly. When you plant flowers, you are nourishing your soul deeply. You are connecting with the source of all provision and goodness, God himself. Meditating on these scriptures while planting and watering your flowers and thanking God for His goodness and love will help release anxiety and worry. It will also strengthen your faith. The scripture above states a person anxious over provision is of little faith. Considering the flowers and how they grow and bloom will remind you that this is how the Lord wants to clothe you and bless you.
While planting the flowers, breathe and receive His goodness, love, and provision. He is the source of all living things.
Selah.