My daughter had four flower girls at her wedding, the youngest of which was 2 1/2 year-old Mary who walked closely beside her six-year-old sister, Evelyn.
But Mary was not about to be rushed on her long stroll toward those who had gathered for the ceremony. She took her sweet time, much to the dismay of her sister, who was trying to encourage her along. When the two of them finally reached the aisle where they were supposed to start tossing rose petals onto the ground, Mary had her own idea. She walked a few steps behind her sister and began picking up every pedal that Evelyn dropped. Back into her basket they went. One. By. One.
Evelyn was at a complete loss for how to rectify this, and continued her flower girl duties until she reached the front and the awaiting wedding party. Mary, on the other hand, slowly made her way up the aisle, diligently picking up each strewn petal. After all, something as beautiful as a flower should not be thrown away on the ground. She wanted to keep and treasure every one of them.
“After all, something as beautiful as a flower should not be thrown away on the ground.”
Of course, the onlookers chuckled as she carried out her own plan. But there was also something endearing about watching this little girl slow the entire pace of this big event to care for the smallest of details.
Today, as I'm thinking about the actions of this sweet little girl, I am reminded to care for and treasure the beautiful, small elements in my own life—the rose petals that God drops in my path every day. I want to pause long enough to gather them into my basket of abundance—just like Mary—no matter how much the world would like to rush me along.