Long-stemmed red roses are nearly synonymous with Valentine’s Day and portray the language of deepest love. It’s an interesting tradition that dates back to 17th century Sweden when a new kind of art known as the “language of flowers” was sweeping across Europe. It focused on communicating using flowers only and no words.
Lists of flowers and their meanings spread far and wide as more and more people embraced the fad. For example, giving someone a yellow carnation meant they disappointed you. A purple hyacinth indicated you’re sorry and were asking forgiveness.
In new or seasoned relationships, giving lavender roses told someone you’re serious about them; yellow roses, friendship only; and of course, the red rose meant a lasting deep love.
On Valentine’s Day we still celebrate love with roses, the flower of love. I think one of the reasons God made flowers was simply to bless us, because He loves us.
Have you ever looked closely at a rose? I mean really looked? The perfection of the petals, its delicate folds, the colors, the fragrance—all reveal the awesomeness of our Creator.
Yet when you pick up a rose, you must be careful. The stem has thorns!
Perhaps roses portray human love—beautiful, wondrous—yet imperfect. Love can hurt, pricking us with disappointment and heartache.
But God’s love is like a rose without thorns.
He demonstrated His greatest love for us through the life of His Son. And His love now fills our hearts so we might share it with others.
For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. (Romans 5:5 NLT)
Yet why do we still at times feel unworthy of His love? Try to make ourselves into something different or better to deserve His love? Work harder to earn His love?
How would it affect our lives if we truly believed God loves us, all the time?
The truth is, He loves us not because of who we are or what we do, but because He is love.
You and I must simply accept it and enjoy it. God’s perfect, beautiful, infinite love . . . like a rose without thorns.
A wonderful word picture of God’s love for us. Thank you, Cheryl.
Very interesting! Happy Valentines Day! ❤️
❤ interesting . Thanks Cheryl.
Thanks, Cheryl, for a great illustration of God’s unconditional love for us, and encouraging us to love others the same way, regardless of their imperfections.The history of flower language was very interesting also. Happy Valentines Day!!!