A Chosen Vessel

One of these days I am going to remember to take "before" pictures. I went to Myrtle Beach Mother's Day and I don't remember if I blogged about that or not, but I went to Marshall's that day. While I was there I found a Victorian looking flower arrangement that I would have liked to have for my porch. It was $25 and I knew I would have to decide if I wanted to spend that amount for this realizing that after a few weeks the artificial flowers would fade and I would have a pretty container with those ugly, light green plants that those precious grannies have hanging from their rafters. (No offense intended if you have some of these. *smile*) I just adore ferns hanging from my porch, but I have a matter of direct sunlight that cooks the tender fronds to a brittle crispy brown. I have tried everything to remedy this but to no avail. I finally took pity on the poor things and decided that I wouldn't torture a single fern again. So, standing around doing "should I" or "shouldn't I" I finally decided shouldn't.



Later on that week I went browsing at my local T.J. Maxx and guess what I found? Yep! That same arrangement. On clearance! $15...Wow! Although it was missing a few flowers, I knew it was coming home with me. Have I ever mentioned how giddy I get when I find a bargain? So giddy in fact, that I am almost blushing even now. I stopped on way home at the Dollar Tree and purchased some fake fern fronds. I had no idea these were even here AND one dollar to boot! Giddy, I tell you, giddy. I could hardly wait to get home and begin my project of restoration.



I lovingly took the arrangement out of the car and immediately began "C. P. R." As I began to add the fern leaves I thought about a few flowers I had found a few weeks ago while cleaning out my closet. I knew these would be an absolute perfect addition to liven it up. I scrounged around until I found them again and added a few until I was satisfied. And here is the end result.

Not quite the way it was when it started out or how it was left, but a new creation! I thought about how it had been rejected by others. Bruised and battered, thus losing a lot of it's appeal, but in the end, it was chosen, changed and cherished. Isn't that like the love of Jesus? He looks upon us and sees our potential not our shortcomings and He lovingly brings us back to restoration. Thank God for that, or I too, would be on the clearance rack of life.

John 15:16
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

***NOTE***
I did not realize what the daily verse was before this post. Ah, confirmation once again. Don't you love HIM?