“Heaven in a Wild Flower”
My mother had a profound passion for reading, amassing an impressive collection of books that included inspirational, devotional, and narrative works. Following her passing, I inherited the majority of her library, which I have cherished over the years; however, one book holds particular significance for me: “Heaven in a Wild Flower” by Joan Winmill Brown.
She had a love for wildflowers, often stopping by the roadside to gather them, and then creating stunning pressed flower art. Thus, it was no surprise to find her copy of this book marked with signs of frequent use, reflecting her deep affection for it. Reflecting on the book, led me to wonder whether wildflowers even exist in heaven; if they do, I can only envision the magnificent garden she must tend to outside her heavenly mansion on the golden streets.
I have a passion for painting faces, with a particular fascination for angels. A large canvas has occupied a corner of my art studio for several months, where I intermittently work on it before setting it aside. The angel figure had been drawn early on in the process but has undergone numerous transformations over the months. I would think about it even when I was not in my art room, trying to reflect on how I wanted to finish her. Recently, inspiration struck as I recalled this book, leading me to realize that the painting needed wildflowers! It all was beginning to come together in my mind! I began incorporating delicate little blooms at the bottom of the canvas, enhancing the artwork with splashes of gold.
The wildflowers represent beauty found in the simple things. Wildflowers carry profound symbolism, particularly that of unity. They flourish together in meadows and fields, forming a vibrant tapestry of colors and fragrances. Historically, wildflowers have represented hope, new beginnings, and resilience, thriving without human intervention. Their simple beauty and ability to grow in unexpected places serve as a reminder that splendor can emerge from the most unlikely situations. Jesus encourages us to reflect on wildflowers as a means to experience the depth of his love and care for you.
The gold splashes in the painting represent the streets of gold "And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass" Revelation 21:21 The verse describes the streets as pure gold, like transparent glass, to convey an image of perfection and holiness. The sight will be more glorious than anything we can experience on Earth.
The lamb in the painting represents Jesus. John 1:29 and John 1:36, Jesus is called the lamb of God, the perfect and ultimate sacrifice for sin.
The light streaming down on the angel wings represents John 8:12, “Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”
“If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think He'll attend to you, take pride in you, do His best for you? Matthew 6:30
God spoke today in flowers, and I, who was waiting on words, almost missed the conversation.
Ingrid Goff-Maidoff