My book club read The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh. Victoria Jones grew up in the foster care system. Feeling unloved and unworthy, Victoria disrespected and rebelled against foster parents until they sent her back. I too would have sent her packing- not tolerating Victoria's bad behavior very long - my eyes blinded to the beauty, worth, potential in her. In failing to see Victoria's beauty, I saw my ugly.
All experience pain. Everyone has been hurt, wounded, broken. There's ugliness in all of us. But we are created in God's image, and there is beauty and worth in people. I need to search for it, dig deeper. Find in the unlovable and difficult individuals the treasure of potential and gifts God gave them. And remember, God demonstrated His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5: 8).
Detached and wary, Victoria Jones learned to communicate through the Victorian language of flowers. She taught people to express their true feelings through the bouquets they sent. In general, lilies symbolize "majesty"; but, have other meanings depending on the color.
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