The Marie's Bouquet Story

What flower do you think best defines love? Yes, we often think of roses (and I DO love roses), but let me propose that orchids may be an even better representation of love. When you think of love, what are you hoping for? For me, four things leap to mind:

- the rest of the story -

First, I think of love as being something that is faithful, withstanding difficulties. Did you know that orchids have an incredible root system that can hold them onto the trunk of a tree? In Hawaii we had them growing on a coconut tree, and the roots wrap all the way around the tree, holding on through every stormy, hurricane force wind thrown at us!

Second, I think of love as forgiving. I know I’m not a perfect person. Those who love me have to forgive me over and over and not give up on me as I try to grow and change. A few years ago at a neighborhood nursery, I purchased an orchid. When I got home and examined it carefully, I realized it was in poor shape and that’s why it was on sale. I doubted it would survive. I pulled it out of the pot, and stuck in the crook of a tree - expecting it to die. But do you know, 2 years later, that orchid put out four stalks of the most beautiful large flowers I’ve ever seen? It didn’t give up!

Third, I think of love as being something special… unique… exclusive between me and the one that loves me. Orchids come in an amazingly unique variety of shapes, colors, and sizes! The first time I went to the orchid show in Hilo I was amazed. They come in a variety of colors and patterns. Some are large, some are teeny tiny and some look like happy faces with eyes and mouth smiling with love at you! Some have a soft tropical fragrance and some smell like chocolate. I even had an orchid in my garden in Hawaii that grew vanilla beans!

Fourth, when I think of love, I think of it being plentiful. I need lots and LOTS of it! At the Hilo Farmer’s market, one of the first things that always catches my eye, are the buckets and buckets full of orchids for sale. In fact, that’s what this painting is based on! Pictures I’ve taken of these buckets full of orchids!!!

These characteristics can be hard to find - especially if we look for them ALL in one person. I have been blessed to experience them at times through people, but the love I know I can always rely on is God’s love. He is always faithfully there, putting up with my struggles and forgiving me my failures. And his love is personal and plentiful.

God loves you in these ways too!

In the Bible, Paul, a follower of Jesus, wrote to the people in Ephesus that he was praying that they could grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Jesus Christ, an that they could know this perfect love that surpasses our understanding.

In a letter to the people in Corinth, in the 13th chapter, he describes what perfect love is. He says, "Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance."

(1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NLT)

The beautiful thing is, God loves us in these ways, but he’s also asked us to show that kind of love to others. Of course, none of us is perfect at it like he is, but it makes me thing of the orchids in Hawaii, woven into a lei and passed on in aloha (love) to others, both in celebration, and in mourning.

I hope this watercolor now speaks of love to you! I hope you understand how perfectly loved you are!

And I hope you will ask yourself if there is someone you know who needs to feel loved today? If so, forward them this story, and send me a message with there name so I can pray for them and that they will experience God's love through you.