And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers… he will certainly care for you.
Luke 12:28 NLT
That July day, a bouquet of flowers was my teacher. I needed to re-learn something I had re-forgotten: God uses ordinary things to show us His extraordinary kindness.
I don’t know what some people think about things like that. But I believe that God is so specific in His kindness to us that He orchestrates the tiniest details, letting us know He sees and cares about us. So often we miss His gifts of kindness because we are racing through life, missing the beauty right in front of us (or right beside us in the ditches of life).
What ditch do you find yourself in today? What place in your life seems bereft of color? How has God whispered His specific kindness to you through a certain shade of sky, a flower, a cardinal, a feather floating on the breeze? Maybe these things are God’s way of “bringing you something you need to learn.” Let’s take some time in these July days to slow down and look for the ways God uses the created world to remind us how very much we’re loved.
by Jennifer Dukes Lee, as featured in the (in)courage 2024-25 Agenda Planner
Summer is upon us, and we’re craving all things light, fresh, and cool! We’ve got just the recipe for you. Invite friends over for lunch and serve this delicious Strawberry Salad. With some bread on the side and any protein you like (it’s endlessly customizable), this is a real winner of a summer recipe.
Bonus: it’s super easy.
Scroll down for the recipe (courtesy of our friend Nancy) and download a FREE printable recipe card!
We hope an easy recipe like this one can help you follow Jennifer’s encouragement to “take some time in these July days to slow down and look for the ways God uses the created world to remind us how very much we’re loved.”
Strawberry Salad
Download the FREE recipe card here!
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Makes 8 servings
INGREDIENTS:
- 4 cups baby spinach leaves
- 4 cups chopped Romaine lettuce
- 2 cups sliced strawberries
- 1 cup sliced cucumber
- 3/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds, divided
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup your favorite Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette
INSTRUCTIONS:
- In large bowl, add spinach, lettuce, sliced strawberries, sliced cucumber, sliced red onion, and all but 2 Tbsp. of the sliced almonds and feta cheese (save the 2 Tbsp. each of almonds and cheese for sprinkling on top of the salad).
- Toss all the ingredients together well.
- When ready to serve, drizzle salad with the Strawberry Vinaigrette and toss gently. Then sprinkle the top of the salad with the remaining feta cheese and sliced almonds. Serve immediately.
NOTE: If serving the salad a little later, stop after Step #2 and refrigerate the salad until ready to serve. Just before serving, toss in the dressing and sprinkle the top of the salad with the remaining feta cheese and sliced almonds.
To get the styled look Nancy created here, use the Good Thing Serving Bowl and use this Tea Towel Set as a table runner or placemat! Set out the Simply Elegant S&P Sprinklers + Tray set in case people want a little more seasoning in their salads. Find these lovely pieces and more at Mary & Martha by DaySpring.
And let us know the answer to Jennifer’s question above: How has God whispered His specific kindness to you?
Leave a Comment
Amen, Jennifer! You inspired the following text to my Titus 2 daughters: As a young girl I was not one to dream about a future wedding day like some of my friends. I also wasn’t caught up in the romance of being sent flowers. I was more interested in more lasting, even if less tangible, gifts of time spent & promises kept. A buddy summarized it saying I’d rather get a warm pair of socks I wanted/needed than a dozen roses. Eons ago I read an article that said women who enjoy getting flowers have a higher self respect level & that we should care enough about ourselves to not wait on a man to give us flowers but to treat ourselves to them as well. Hang with me here… As I read Luke 12:28 “If God cares so wonderfully for flowers He will certainly care for u” I was struck with the awesome truth that God Himself sends me/us flowers. He delights in spending time with us & He is the ultimate promise keeper. The wiring of my/our brain/tastes/desires has always been bent toward the God who loves us best. May we see the lavish provisions of our God in the eternity promises & in the flowers of the field that r here today & gone tomorrow. Blessings (((0)))
Amen!
Amen! Beautifully stated. Resonates with me on a very personal level.
I’m with you Jennifer!
From the tiny squirrel that stopped me in my tracks on my forest walk,
a pregnant doe taking refuge from the heat under the shade of my backyard, to the black bear running down the road in front of my vehicle making me laugh out loud…. it’s all God’s handiwork & beauty on display revealing His love for us!
Thank you for your loving post.
Looks so fresh and yummy with berries in season and nicely priced! It’s a win-win! ❤️
I’ll share on Pinterest
Dear Jennifer…I read your Devotional today. It was a very important one. One thing our minister always tells us is to look out your window and see all the things that God created. I have been doing that for at least 16 months. It really encourages me to have a good day even if I was thinking it wouldn’t be. You women at incourage are really Angels sent to us from God. I can’t even express all that you have done for me. I read your stories every day, first thing. Then I look out the window and tell God what I am looking at and I always remember to say, Thank You. I feel that is very important. The recipe looks fabulous. Thank you again for everything. I need to look out the window now. Blessings to all of you and your loved ones………….Betsy Basile
I think the biggest takeaway from this question is just the reminder that there is beauty and joy in the small things. Not everything has to be a huge wonder to hold value or be special. Every little bit is precious.
I’ve been sick in bed for a week and this morning I’m enjoying watching the hummingbirds on the feeder outside my window. Last night my husband helped me outside to see that my daisy garden had bloomed and we also watched a little bat flitting around eating the bugs. All beautiful gifts from my Lord.
For me it’s been cardinals and dragonflies! Thank you for these reminders of God’s beautiful kindness. I’m in Houston and after hurricane Beryl we were without electric power for 7 days and it was a struggle, but I saw God’s presence amid my impatience through beautiful and unique dragonflies and the pretty cardinal songs each morning. God bless!
Jennifer,
It is so easy to not notice God’s extraordinary kindness all around us. We rush here and there doing things. We don’t stop “to smell the roses”. Lately I have been trying to acknowledge each little kindness He shows me. If I make a light or get a good parking spot at work I say thank you Jesus.
I admit to not being a flower person. Give me warm socks, nice hot meal, etc. I can appreciate God’s handiwork in the flowers,, Smoky Mountains all around me.
BTW: Salad looks yummy.
Blessings 🙂
God has sent his rain & cooler temps to our drought-stricken area. Lantanas are blooming, butterflies are flitting about, green grass is lush & his creation again reminds us that He is faithful in every season.
Can’t wait to try the salad.