Golden Blossoms
(An Ethiopian Flower Field)
“Gabby, look more yellow flowers!” Grandma (aka Tee) exclaimed as she leaned over to me and winked. “What do you think they mean?”, she asked warmly. Smiling from ear to ear, I looked out of the bus window and I knew what it meant. For me, it was a reminder that God was with me. That He was here in Chitwan, Nepal.
You may be asking yourself, “Why is she talking about flowers?” Well, it has been something I have debated writing about and sharing with others outside of the race. Even those outside of my first team, Groot. See, before the race I thought yellow flowers were just pretty to look at, but in the past few months they have come to mean something special. When I see them I am reminded of God’s friendship with me, his constant presence, and his abundant love. How could I get this from just looking at golden flowers? Well, that is a good question. In order to answer that, let’s back track to August 2019.
(One of the first photos I took in Ethiopia)
In my third month of traveling with the World Race, we were in Costa Rica. At the end of our ministry time there we had our first debrief, so all the squad was together. While I was there I had a vision of Jesus and I running through a field of yellow flowers. There were small hills all around covered in golden beauty, the sunshine bathed both of us, and my lightweight yellow dress had small flowers on them. In my vision, I saw Jesus as a friend, as my comforter in tough times, and as a gentleman. A couple of months later I arrived in the beautiful and popping country of Morocco with my first team, Groot. While there I had three more visions. In all three of them I saw fields of golden flowers and in each of them more of God’s and Jesus’ character was revealed. I began to grasp his abundant love and grace extended to me. I saw Jesus as a fighter on my behalf, as a warrior who protected me, as a friend, and as gentleman.
(A flower tree in India)
The following month our squad was in Ethiopia. One morning we all went to help at a reforestation center. On the way back through the village to our base, many of the kids would walk along with us. Some of them would run up and grab our hands and walk with us, smiling all the way. As I walked, I waved to the beautiful villagers we were passing, then this tiny little girl, probably two or three years old, came up to me and grabbed my hand. Her curly hair was tied up in a hair tie, her clothes were well worn and a little too big for her, but she was so adorable!
Initially I was at the front of our group, but with her holding my hand I began to slow down. As squad mates passed us by they commented on how adorable she was, and one of them reached over and adjusted the little girl’s dress. I also heard several people mention how adorable she was in her yellow dress. Yellow dress. Yellow. Dress. I gasped! In that moment my previous visions flooded my mind. I saw this precious little girl as myself. And I was in God’s place. I saw how God is such a caring father that he slows down to our pace. He doesn’t drag us, because He knows what we are capable of.
While I pondered this, a villager that came up to us who seemed a bit off, and he attempted to grab the little girl from me. I felt very uneasy with him so near, so I scooped up the little girl and walked faster toward the center of our group. Then it hit me: this is exactly what God does for me, he protects me when danger is close by. He holds me tight and comforts me by his strength. Eventually, I let the little one down and her siblings came and took her home. Left to my thoughts, I reflected on what God was showing me. Then I remembered that there were yellow flowers all around our base. I wondered if there would be more reminders like this in the future.
(An Ethiopian house next to our base)
Sure enough, there have been! Both in India and Nepal I have seen yellow blossoms. They have helped remind me of God and his abundant love and care for me as His daughter. When I look at those golden blossoms I remember that I am not alone. That I have a friend, a fighter, a comforter, a gentleman, and most importantly a Savior in God.
(Cheesin’ from the top of a church in Nepal. Flower field in the back)
