Giving is a gift

I know you have probably heard sentiments like this before; but in my own experience it is true and powerful!

Giving opens doors, and what’s on the other side (or inside) becomes a precious gift.

In 2022 I began giving flowers to the residents and staff at Jackson Interfaith Shelter. This act of giving led to a “gift” to my heart and soul! Not only that, it helped me narrow down my mission — why I am flower farming in the first place. I want to share that story here, with hopes that you will identify a “personal” way to give in your own life. I believe doing that will gift YOU in ways you can’t even imagine!

The very simple idea

I stopped in to the Shelter one afternoon to talk with Steve Castle and Bekah Zraik about my desire to support the mission of Jackson Interfaith Shelter. I explained what Gwen’s Greens was, and pitched my offer to provide a weekly flower share to the shelter as a way to spread goodness and beauty. Thankfully, they understood my heart! And their support of my endeavor gave me even more courage to share the majesty of flowers!

Each time I visited the shelter with a mason jar bouquet in hand, residents would say – “there’s the flower lady,” or “do you grow these?” or “your flowers are so beautiful.” More than one person would thank me each time, and I was encouraged that God’s beauty was having an impact on them.

Dignity, Beauty, Joy

In August, I had a flower crown booth at the first annual Block Party, and it got a lot of attention. It was a joy to see girls, boys, women – even grandmothers – proudly wear a crown of beauty. Ah. That was a real gift.

Have you ever worn a flower crown? It’s a simple way to dress yourself in dignity, beauty, and spark joy in the eyes of anyone who sees you. Priceless.

I’m looking forward to the 2024 JIS Block Party in August! I will be featuring flower crowns again, and a Make-It-Take-It table for flower lovers to enjoy. The goal: spreading goodness and beauty!

What is a “very simple way to give” in your own life? What are you already doing? How will you begin? I’d love to know! —-Gwen