Happy Belated Mother’s Day to all the different types of mothers out there. May you all feel the tender care God gives you.

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“Once upon a time…” is usually how fairy tales begin.

But this is not a story of magic or perfect endings. It is a story of continuous learning, giving, growing, and trusting. It is a story where every ending becomes the soil for a new beginning.

It is the story of a flower.

This flower was no ordinary flower — though, truly, there are no ordinary flowers. There are flowers that dance in the wind. Flowers that reach boldly for the sun. Flowers that grow thorns to protect themselves and those around them. Flowers that make room for their buds. Flowers that bloom in bright colors, and flowers whose beauty is quieter, hidden deep within their roots.

There are so many flowers, and not one of them is ordinary. Not one is more worthy than another.

So why tell the story of this one flower?

Because this flower knew the Gardener.

Every flower needs the Gardener. Not every flower knows how to receive His care, but this flower had begun to trust Him. She had begun to talk with Him. And now she was a blossom, carrying the possibility of new life in ways she did not fully understand.

“Gardener,” she asked, “will my seed be like me?”

“Each seed is unique,” the Gardener replied as He prepared the soil around her.

“But will it be beautiful? Will it be strong? Will it last long? What if a storm comes and carries it away?” The flower trembled in the wind at the thought.

The Gardener paused and looked upon her with tenderness.

“Beauty is not only found in color,” He said. “And this world does not promise a life untouched by change or storm. Storms will come, little one. Seasons will change. But keep your roots in Me, and no matter what comes, I will hold you.”

“But what about my seed?” the flower whispered, pressing gently near the small spark of life within her.

“Just as you are Mine, so is the life you carry,” the Gardener said. Then He brushed His scarred hand over her petals with great care. “I will tend to it as tenderly as I am tending to you.”

“Even if I am not the prettiest flower? Or the strongest? Or the most unique?”

“Even when you feel weak, faded, or unnoticed,” the Gardener said, “I am here. I am still yours. And you are still Mine.”

He touched the flower once more.

“So do not worry about what will be. You and what I have placed within you are held in My garden.” The flower was quiet for a moment.

“Then where should I put all these new thoughts? All these fears? All these changes?”

“With Me,” said the Gardener as He poured water near her roots. “Bring them to Me. If you choose to grow with Me, I will strengthen your roots, hold your thoughts, and guide you through every season.”

The flower hummed softly and nodded. Then she watched as the wind carried the seeds of another flower across the garden.

“Gardener,” she asked, “will I get to see what my seeds become?”

“Sometimes,” the Gardener replied gently. “Sometimes a flower sees the buds of what she has carried. Sometimes she does not. Sometimes a seed does not take root. Sometimes a flower only holds the hope of a seed. Sometimes a flower is asked to nurture life that did not begin within her.”

The flower listened closely. The Gardener picked up a small seed that had fallen before it could fly. Carefully, He planted it in the soil.

“Every seed is precious,” He said. “Every longing is seen. Every life is a treasure. And every flower who nurtures, shelters, teaches, prays, comforts, or makes room for another is helping cultivate My garden.”

“A treasure,” the flower repeated reverently. “Will everyone get to behold this treasure?”

“Many long to behold it,” the Gardener said, “but blessed are those who help cultivate it.”

The flower tilted her head. “But You are the Gardener. You are the One who cultivates us. Who else can do that?”

The Gardener smiled, and the flower was not sure whether she felt comforted or confused.

“Look out across the garden,” He said.

So the flower looked.

“There are many of you,” the Gardener continued. “I care for each one. I cultivate each one. But I do not keep you separated from one another. I bring you together so you may learn, grow, shelter, and strengthen one another. Some flowers bear seeds. Some protect seedlings. Some make room for roots that are not their own. Some bloom beside the lonely and remind them they are still alive. And some care for the soil in the garden in ways others may never see.”

The flower’s petals softened.

“And what about those who grow alone?” she asked.

“They are not alone,” the Gardener said. “I am here. I clear the weeds around them. I send other flowers to stand near them. I remind them how to keep growing, even in difficult soil.”

“So the treasure of a flower is not only in her color,” the flower said slowly, “or in how long she lasts, or even in whether her seeds look like her.”

The Gardener nodded.

“The treasure is in growing with You,” she said. “And helping others grow, too.”

“Yes, My precious little one,” the Gardener replied. “From the moment you were a seed, to the days you were a tender sprout, to now — a blossom learning how to carry, nurture, release, and trust — your treasure has always been in your growth.”

He poured fresh water near her roots.

“Keep your roots in Me. Whether your seeds fly far, whether your color fades, whether storms come, whether weeds surround you, I will be here. You are My growing treasure, My beloved flower, a mother in My garden.”

This time, the flower smiled with the Gardener.

Then she kept growing.

He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young.” -Isaiah 40:11 NKJV