Simple Little Flowers.

On this beautiful cool Easter morn my thoughts are turned to Christ and his atoning sacrifce. Such love He exemplified for all man kind, so that in and through God's plan we may be resurrected and live again as He did. Christ's atonement for me indiviually, and for each of us, brings me peace and great solace as I walk lifes' path. What an amazing gift, to live again and through the atonement and personal humility be redeemed of God.

A knock came to our door on a sunny cool Sunday afternoon, much like today, 8 years ago. Outside on the front porch 5 ceramic pots of the deepest blue in varying sizes had been placed on the steps. Each pot was filled to the brim with pansies; colors of white, light and dark blues and purples with a touch of yellow accent. On the pathway behind stood a large group of primary children from the church. The leaders and children from our ward had planted these gorgeous pots and brought them as a gift to us, in memory of our cherished Calvin Wesley. Several days prior we had learned that the child I was carrying no longer had a heartbeat, he was gone. Here stood beautiful smiling children bringing flowers and their love to strengthen and uphold us after our loss.

This small loving act of service brings the atonement of Christ full circle for me. It was He who gave the greatest act of service for all mankind, that we may live once again after death. His pure sacrifice and charity for all exemplifies how we should live now, each and every day. These humbled children had brought hopes of love and charity, by means of simple little flowers, to our home. Many of them didn't understand nor did we understand why our child was lost, yet through the example of Christ's love we were brought to the realization of God's plan and the atonement, the greatest gift of charity. It has taken me minutes, days and several years to accept this gift. The gift was there I had to choose to accept it. The hurt and sorrow seemed unbearable, yet I have endured. Through the years my faith in Gods' plan and Christs' sacrifice has grown. That seed of a faith was nourished by the loving kindness of the primary children many years ago.

I have always been fond of pansies, however each year when I replant the pots or even see pansies of these colors it brings me to a sense of being; a sense of life, hope and renewed faith that it is all worth it. If, I am worth that much to God and Christ that blood was spilt for me, then I want to be worthy of that love. So, I say to my self, " Be strong, don't get down about your mistakes or your trials, pick yourself up hang on to the faith, hope and charity given ; in turn give it to those around you." To me this simple little flower each spring renews life as Christ did. I am profoundly grateful for the simplicities of life that take me down that path each day to a greater understanding of life and God's plan, even in its' sometimes overwhelming, and misunderstood complexity.

So this year and in years past I'll plant bunches of simple little flowers in in my deep blue ceramic pots in remembrance of Calvin, my love for him, faith I'll see him again; for my Savior Jesus Christ and faith in His love for me.