Yellow Roses
Yellow roses have always been special to me (Diana). When I was born, it was a tradition in both my parent’s and my grandmother’s church to put a pink or blue carnation on the altar to represent the baby and placing his or her life in God’s hands. Because I was born in Texas, my mother and grandmother placed yellow roses in their respective churches.
When I was in Jr. High, there was a couple in my church I really liked and respected. They ended up getting divorced and I was really hurt, especially as I saw the repercussions on them and their children and their friends. I knew I didn’t want a marriage like that one day, and I heard of so many people, especially Christians, getting married for the wrong reasons and being so unhappy. In fact, I didn’t think I’d ever get married (for several reasons), but I still asked God for a sign just in case.
I had just read about Gideon laying out the fleece (Judges 6:36-40) and decided that I would ask God for a very specific sign if He wanted me to get married one day. I asked that my future husband would give me yellow roses, and that no other man would. This of course meant not telling people it was my favorite flower, and I promised I would never hint at it to any guy I might like one day, but would trust God to make it happen.
The first amazing thing, was that in years of doing theater and dance, I literally received hundreds of roses from guys who were either in the shows with me, or came to see the shows. Yet they were in every color except yellow. Then I met Eric. When we started dating he had asked what my favorite flower was, I wanted so desperately to shout “Yellow roses!”. But instead I told him I really liked pretty much anything and it’s the thoughtfulness that matters (which is true). We had been dating for a little while, and I showed up at his house for a hike. By this time, we both knew we were in love, and that God wanted us to get married. But on the drive to his house, I called a friend and confided that I was a little scared. I told her I knew he was the guy for me, but it was crazy how fast things were moving and I wished I could have some reassurance. I walked into his house, and entered the kitchen. He was standing in front of the counter grinning ear to ear. He said “Happy two month anniversary!” and stepped aside. There on the counter was a bouquet of flowers, and in the center, were three beautiful yellow roses. I almost stopped breathing!
I ran and hugged him and said “Yellow roses are my favorite!” Later on our hike, I told him of my prayer back in Jr High. He was wondering why I’d said they were my favorite when earlier I’d told him I didn’t have one. He was also so blessed by yet another confirmation of God’s hand in our relationship. It’s so wonderful how God keeps His promises, and waited until the exact moment I needed confirmation (if it had been a month earlier I probably would have freaked out!). So when you see the yellow roses in our wedding, know that they weren’t chosen for their beauty, but because for us they represent the exciting fulfillment of God’s promise.