Tag Archives: diversity of creation

by

Diversity of Color

These are all hydrangeas that grew in our yard this summer and into the fall. We had a very dry fall and these blooms started drying while they were still attached to the plant. Notice the color!

I have never had such a variety of color from dried blooms – and I have been drying blooms for years!

In 1986 we stayed with long time family friends – the Scattergoods – who had a lovely home on Lake Norman. Phil, myself, and our four children were guests for a night coming and going from the airport in Charlotte. I remember commenting on the lovely dried hydrangeas Mrs. Scattergood had on her table. She shared with me the following steps that I have used ever since to have beautiful dried blooms throughout the winter.

  • cut blooms in the fall after a few cool nights
  • place stems in about 2 inches of water in a vase that supports blooms
  • let the water evaporate
  • blooms will remain intact and have color depending on original color, type of hydrangea, and weather conditions during bloom season

The diversity of the color has been a special enjoyment for me this year. I have had all light caramel color blooms in the past, many blue blooms that kept their color for a month or so, but not the variety of this year. How lovely of our Creator to bless us with such diversity of color!

This situation has caused me to think of the amazing diversity we have throughout creation. The variety of plants, animals, and all living things – especially humans – points to God’s plan for uniqueness from the very start. That list from the first garden in Genesis sets the stage for the glorious array encompassing creation. This diversity is something to celebrate as we acknowledge God as creator. This variety is not chance – but God’s intention from the beginning. Think of how much difference there is in our families, our communities, and our churches.

How boring our world would be if all flowers were the same color?

How boring our world would be if all people looked and thought alike?

How blessed we are to know the Author of Creation – the Author of our salvation!

I recently listened to scholar and Bible teacher Dr. Rebecca McLaughlin in this podcast recommended by our daughter, Abigail. I have attached it so that if you are interested you can listen. I was blessed by the way Dr. McLaughlin celebrates the diversity in the Body of Christ and how we are all blessed by that diversity. God’s plan from the beginning….

#In my Garden with God

by

Called by Name

This inchworm is measuring a flower in units of its own length – thus the common name – inchworm. Its scientific name – geometridae – also alludes to its measuring ability. I now know this name and the origin of the name because I have been participating in the 2021 Mountain True BioBlast. It is a friendly competition between our county and two nearby counties with similar bio diversity to determine how many different species of plants and animals can be recorded within a two week period.

I have enjoyed this so much! Most of my pictures have been taken in our own yard. We are blessed with such diversity here on Macktown Gap. I don’t know all the names – but the app we use on our phones – called iNaturalist – identifies the plant or animal BY NAME! It records the location as well. Not only have I had fun looking for as many different plants and critters as I could find, I have learned their names in the process.

This butterfly, named Great Spangled Fritillary landed on a flower called Butterfly Weed. Such an appropriate name.

Names are important. They not only give significance to something but often describe it as well. Instead of “look at those plants”, saying “look at that Jack-in-the-Pulpit” identifies and singles out one plant from among many others.

God gave Adam the task of naming all the animals and birds in the Garden of Eden – Genesis 2:19. The names of things has been important since the very beginning of creation.

As a teacher I worked very hard to learn the names of my students. I was not always good at remembering – but I really did try. It was important to me that each student knew they were unique and important to me. Knowing their name was a way for me to acknowledge them. (Kristen and Chelsea Cucumber are identical twins and they had to constantly forgive me for mixing up their names – as did twins Kristen and Kelsey Bradley) Now I have identical twin grandsons. Poor Amos and Tyler…..

But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you.
    O Israel, the one who formed you says,
“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
    I have called you by name; you are mine.  Isaiah 43:1

I love that God tells us, His people, that He has called us BY NAME. He knows us, He formed us.

We are His.