The Forever-Fresh Hydrangea

Put everything to the test. Accept what is good.

I Thessalonians 5:21 CEV

I attended a wedding where they invited guests to take home the centerpieces. They were a beautiful mix of roses, hydrangeas and greenery.

As the days went by, I removed the wilted flowers and put the last few blooms in fresh water.

I was amazed at how long I enjoyed the flowers — especially one white hydrangea bloom.

Almost a month later, this white hydrangea still looked perfectly fresh with no signs of wilting. So I took to Instagram and posted about this flower that must be some miracle representing the eternal love of the bride and groom.

That’s when the groom’s mom messaged me: the white hydrangeas were faux.

You probably guessed that by now. I am still dumbfounded at how long it took me to notice.

I mean, I had touched the flower numerous times. It should have been obvious.

But because it was the only fake flower among real ones, I just assumed it was real too.

When I heard the truth, the lesson slapped me in the face.

How many times do we believe something is true without asking questions, without doing our own research, or without praying for discernment?

For me, those times come all too often.

Father, thank you for your Holy Spirit that helps me discern. Open my eyes to things I cannot see on my own.

Stacy Graves