Tuesday, February 26, 2008

A Lady's Slipper Clothed in Beauty - Wildflower Art


Many years ago I found this lovely watercolor of a Lady's Slipper at a second hand store. I snatched it right up and it has been on my bedroom wall ever since. I have always thought it was an original. But in order to get a decent photograph of it, I had to remove the glass from the frame to cut down on glare and reflections. It was then I discovered it is really a well done print. I still like it, but now I know the truth.

A Lady's Slipper I think is one of the most beautifully elegant wildflowers. They remind me of how much God love's beauty. He isn't afraid of color or shape. "See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like on of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more cloth you, O you of little faith?" Matthew 6:28 - 30.


Showy Lady's Slipper
Public Domain image

When I think of how God clothes the grass of the field, Lilies and Lady's Slippers, I am in awe of his artistry and good taste. They are all so lovely in their dresses. When I dress, I have wondered what I reflect. Do I show God's good taste and beauty, or am I trying to show off and draw attention to myself. Today's sexy dressing leaves so much to be desired. Sometimes I think it is almost like a flower with the petals plucked off. You can then really focus on the parts of pollination and seed production, but it really cheapens the flower.
Pink Lady's Slipper
Public Domain

I have been trying to let God lead me more in how He wants me to dress, as He makes me to be who He created me to be. As a girl, I rarely had more then one dress at a time. We always wore pants. That seemed to be the thing to wear. I've had a couple jobs, one during college, and one after college, where a dress was the required uniform. That was a strange thing to me. I really had some adjusting to do. When I was finished with the job, I was back in my jeans. Over the last couple years I am finding my desires changing. I have asked God many times what He wanted me to wear that day, and thought I'd wear pants, but ended up walking out in some kind of a skirt, and ending up being glad for it. I am finding more and more skirts and dresses in my closet now and my desire for jeans fading away. I am finding I am very happy in feminine clothing and more uncomfortable in pants. I have learned how to be warm and comfortable in winter with addition of comfy cotton tights to my wardrobe. I am finding myself feeling more and more like I am growing to be what God wants me to be and I'm happy for that. I'm glad to be a woman, raising a family for God. But I am still longing for more God's Spirit and the fruit of the Spirit, because it is His character that is truly beautiful. It is Him who makes me a woman with the "unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight." 1 Peter 3:4.
Yellow Lady's Slipper
Public Domain

Some other texts that meaningful to me about the clothing that God wants to dress me in include:

Isaiah 61:10 "I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels."

Revelation 3:5 " He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never erase his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and His angels."

Revelation 3:18 " I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see."Kentucky Lady's Slipper
Public Domain
All the Lady's Slipper photos were found here. Thank you to the National Digital Repository.

2 bouquets of wildflowers (Comment here):

Heidi said...

Oh! Your thoughts are lovely indeed. I had never though of modern style in terms of taking of a flower's petals. It makes me want to sew dresses...and gowns!

Anonymous said...

The lady slipper orchid photos in the US fish and Wildlife service digital repository should credit the photographer as requested. Please credit these to Thomas G. Barnes