First Flowers and God

Today John brought me the first bouquet of "flowers" ever given to me by a child of mine. He was outside playing with Daddy and had his very own idea to bring me the below offering, which he clutched proudly in his fat little hand.

Of course, I was moved to tears and placed his "flowers" in a vase next to the exquisite roses Chris had given me for Valentine's Day.

Of course, I was very moved on the natural level as a mother. But the whole thing got me thinking about God too.

I really enjoy when Chris brings me flowers and his roses on Valentine's Day were no exception. But Chris knows how to buy flowers, he's good at it, and he can afford it. Two-year-old John only just conceived of the very grand idea of giving flowers, he has no money, and he found in the yard what he thinks was a pretty offering. I was so touched that it made me wonder if this is like the greater joy God feels about one sinner who repents compared to 99 righteous men who have no need of repentance (Luke 15:7). And I pondered how much parental affection God must feel when a new Christian (or a child or a convert or a "revert") squeaks out a stumbling Our Father or a distracted Rosary, just like my heart swelled at John mustering all his meager flower-giving skills for his Mama.

My thoughts on the subject seemed much more interesting and profound the day John gave me the flowers. But in the time it has taken me several attempts to write this blog post, I seem to have lost my way with words. But perhaps you mamas understand me.