Fragrant Delight

Recently a classmate passed away and it caused me to remember an incident that happened in eighth grade. He was choosing between three girls to give a box of valentine candy too. I wanted that box of candy. I went after the "candy." The candy was presented to me. However, along with the box of candy came the giver of the box of candy. I didn't want the giver. I didn't like him. I just wanted the candy.

This caused me to think about how I responded to God. Do I love the Giver? or Do I just want the blessings and promises? Everytime I do something good or right or serve or give, do I do it because I love the Giver? or Do I do it for the reward? What are the true motives of my heart? Do I truly love people and have a compassion for them? or Do I use people to satisfy my needs or to get what I want? I know I am a "fragrant delight" to the Lord but is the Lord a "fragrant delight" to me?

This highly perfumed rose blooms abundantly. The clustered flowers are peachy pink when new aging to a pale pink revealing a golden heart. Just like the "Fragrant Delight" rose, we must be transformed as we age revealing our true hearts.

Let us be a fragrant delight to the Lord (Is. 5:7 - we are a "garden of delight" to Him), to others (II Cor 2:14 - "through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him." and most of all let the Lord be a "fragrant delight" to us (Psalm 37:4 - "delight yourself in the Lord".

"Sissi" Rose

The "Sissi Rose" upright, open with pointed, double petals also known as Blue Moon. The color is a lilac mauve but tinted blue in the sun. A very sweet fragrance. This flower is the parent of "Julia's Rose". Ironically, just as similar as Julia's Rose and the Sissi Rose are, so are the similarities between these two granddaughters. "Sissi" my third granddaughter, daughter of my son. She has three older brothers who all call her "Sissi". "Sissi Rose" is what I call her. She is a rose to me. She is very much like me also. I also have three brothers. It is truly amazing how she looks so much like her mother one instant and so much like her daddy in another. She is a beautiful baby. So much like a rose that you just stare at the uniqueness of her beauty. The fragrance of a little girl in the midst of all the boys makes you wonder just how it is that the God of our universe can create such beauty.

Her name means wisdom and princess. The Scripture I pray for her is Luke 2:40 - "and the child grew and became strong; she was filled with wisdom and the grace of God was upon her." Zechariah 12:10 says the Spirit of God has poured out his grace upon her. The Mother Goose Nursery Rhyme says Tuesday's child is full of grace. "Sissi Rose" God has found favor on you.

"Riley Rose"

The Alyssa "Riley Rose" is white, sometimes pale pink, and is sometimes called the Japanese Rose because it mostly grows in Japan. It also grows in Riley, Kansas. It grows in the pastures and the fields of Riley, Kansas. It has a thorny stem so it used for borders and hedges to protect the animals and the wildlife. It has a very sweet fragrance. Sometimes the "Riley Rose" is a single flower and sometimes it grows in clusters. So much so like our Alyssa Riley, my second granddaughter. Daughter of my daughter. She loves pink. She wears pink. She has an older sister but she is also her very own unique little girl.


She is so much like her mother when she was a little girl but also so much like me. It continually amazes me how our God designs each one of us just the way He wants us to be. She loves animals. Imagine a rose that is planted especially for the animals. She calls herself the animal angel. The color white is very becoming to an angel. Alyssa who is compassionate and full of mercy. An angel herself carrying the sweet fragrance of her compassion wherever she goes.

Her name means Truthful and Courageous. The Mother Goose Rhyme says Tuesday's Child is full of Grace. And, of course, alyssum is a flower of sweet fragrance. The scripture verse I pray for her is II Corinthians 2:14 - "But thanks be to God who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him." She is God's fragrant flower and mine too. She is truthful, courageous and full of grace and mercy, a delight to the Lord. I am so glad there is a rose named for this very special unique little girl who loves animals.

"Julia's Rose"

This is a very beautiful "coffee colored" rose. It is open and upright with frilled petals revealing the stamens on the inside. It needs full sunshine. The fragrance is light and fresh. Julia, my first granddaughter. Daughter of my daughter. She is definitely a "jewel" in my crown. She resembles me as a little girl. So much so that my mother and daddy call her by my name. It is as if they are watching their own daughter play years ago in another decade. Watching her reminds me of me. Amazing, how God takes parts of each of us and puts them together to create a little girl in another generation.


Her name means Youthful and Anointed. Jewel means Delight. The Mother Goose Fairy Tale says Friday's child is loving and giving. Her scripture is Hebrews 13:15 - Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips that confess His Name. These are the things I pray over her. Yes, God delights in her and so do I. It is fun to watch her continual exuberance for life in everything she does.


I recently attended her dance recital where she received a five year attendance award. She had a special part in one of her dances for the fifth year in a row. There is something about Julia that brings sunshine into your life. She enjoys life. Whatever she does, she does wholeheartedly. She dances, she plays basketball. She can dress frilly revealing her very heart as she dances or she can play basketball leading her team with her encouragement and brightness. She captures your heart with her openness and uprightness. Julia's Rose, beautiful, sweet, a breath of fresh air, sunshine, laughter, a delight to behold. I am so glad a rose is named Julia.