Did You Think You Had to Get All Dressed Up to Receive Flowers from Me?

Did You Think You Had 
to Get All Dressed Up 
to Receive Flowers from Me?

I slowly made my way through a crowd of men in suits and ladies in floor-length dresses. I’m sure I would have heard the clink of their heals on the hard floor and the gentle swish of their skirts if it had not been for the big band playing along the far wall. Music wafted through the air, mixing with all the delicious smells of fine-dining. The lights were dim; smiles were bright. My boyfriend had bought tickets for the two of us to join some friends and attend a gala to support a local non-profit. He was behind me now, also making his way through the crowd to the table of hors d'oeuvres. We selected the desired delicacies and joined our friends and some acquaintances at the table. 

In the small town that I call “home,” there are not many occasions to dress to the nines, and I was going to relish this one. I thought back to about an hour previous when I had heard a familiar knock on the door. My man stood in a suit and tie. He was holding a dozen roses. They were deep, tall, and gorgeous. They were for me. Delighted, I found a vase, filled it with water, and placed the vase of proud roses at the center of my dining room table. As we headed out the door, I had taken one last glance over my shoulder at them. They looked smashing. I felt lovely. 

The entire night was so perfect it felt like a dream. It was the kind of classy that makes you sit up a little taller, hold your breath, and choose your words more carefully. For a moment, time seemed to stand still.

As is it’s nature, though, time marched on. The week that followed was like any other. 

After work one day, I walked out to my car as usual and tossed my backpack into the back seat. As I started to climb into the driver’s side, I caught sight of a card and a single rose on my windshield. Smiling and surprised, I grabbed my gifts and sat in the car reading the words of my love. The first line of the card said, “Did you think you had to be all dressed up to receive flowers from me?” I read it and paused. I was certainly dressed up on the night of the gala. We both were, and he had given me a gorgeous dozen. But today I was not. I was wearing the typical jeans and a sweater, hair was up in a ponytail, and I’m sure my makeup was practically non-existent. He had a rose for me still. When I arrived home, it joined the dozen from the previous weekend and stood among them; my favorite. It smelled of grace. 

“Did you think you had to be all dressed up to receive flowers from me?” If this question would have been an arrow, it would have hit the bullseye. Although jotted down on a card by my boyfriend, it sounded a lot like a question my LORD would pose. The one, a student of the other. He’s pursuing as Christ does and speaking as Christ would speak. In other words, God seemed to ask, “Did you think you had to earn my love?” “Did you think you had to feel lovely to receive my favor?” “Did you think your life had to reach a certain standard before I would extend grace to you?” 

Often, I do think that. Just like a rose on my worst days, I am reminded in Romans that “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). In a beautiful demonstration of God’s love, He gave Christ (John 3:16). He gave, not for us to receive when we have our “act together,” but for us to receive in humility so that His power might be on display as He transforms us from the inside out. He gave, not for us to receive when we’re at our best, but to accept with joy at our worst. 

There are a whole lot of people thinking that they have to get all dressed up to receive flowers. I have been one of them. Even though I have been a student of God’s grace for the better part of my life so far, there is something very human in me that always likes to think that I have to attain a certain level of godliness on my own before God’s salvation applies to me. That is a lie. This is the truth: “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). In our brokenness and imperfection God wrapped Himself in flesh and came to earth. For this reason, we celebrate Christmas, the coming of Immanuel - “God with us.” He died, was buried, and rose again on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:4), defeating death and providing access to God for all who believe in His name. 

I’m so thankful for this very tiny, tangible representation of God’s great love. It was just a card and a rose, but it was a reminder that God is always pursuing the unlovely. It was a reminder that He’s pursuing me. 

Salvation through Christ is a gift unearned (Ephesians 2:8). It is a rose extended to us from our Love on our worst day. Have you accepted it? You can, smiling and surprised. 

Romans 10:13 "For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." 

Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace you have been saved through faith and this is not your doing; it is the gift of God.” 

2 Corinthians 12:9 “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”