I Met Him in My Overalls

Tulips, daffodils, zinnias . . . breathtaking flowers abound in Jean Coleman's garden-and life. But her path wasn't always radiant. For years she cultivated external excellence, wearing many hats to please many people, only to find loneliness sprouting in her soul. Life changed when she moved to the country and began growing flowers for market. Little did she know she'd not only grow flowers in that tilled field, but God would grow her. Donning overalls, and with dirty hands, aching muscles, and itchy bug bites, Jean met her Master Gardener, and by His unconditional love, grace is budding on the abundant branches of her life, each blossom bearing the imprint of her Gardener's hand. Some lessons God cultivated: • Seeds, like us, spend time in darkness, growing healthy roots before sprouting new growth in the light. • Lush from afar but damaging to the desirable plants, weeds show how our seemingly good activities can crowd our spirit, leaving us weak. • Just as pruning helps flowers flourish, God uses life's trials to build, strengthen, and develop our souls. • God's transforming grace converts our compost pile of sins into useful, life-giving fertilizer. • Arranging flowers allows a glimpse of God's perspective as He places us in His arrangement. • Hand-made bouquets, a cow-print apron, and a welcome smile made Jean's farmer's market booth a success-and opened her eyes to how God markets us for His purpose.