The first peonies of the season

I really like the color white…

The purity of the color…
I think of snow…
Lovely snowflakes falling…
Innocence…
Light…
Bright…
Pearls…
White paper packages…
And any flower that is white…

So, I had a moment when I thought there was something “wrong” with the first white peony blooms of the season…

At first, I perceive the pink pistil as a blemish on the petals of white,
And the thoughts of my own failings, this perceived blemish, does ignite.

And it makes me think…

The garden of my heart, LORD
Is good ground to start
Weeding
Any tare that is feeding.

Yes, the garden of my heart
Is a very good place to start.

LORD, come tend to me –
Pull out any weeds YOU see,
Come tend to me.
Purify.
Cleanse.
To bloom beautifully, again.
To me, tend.

Let not a perceived stain,
Be a continual refrain.

But let the tender pink center,
Bring beautiful contrast after winter.