Monday Matters

Everyday Flower Shout

I am not a gardening type of gal, so I was thrilled when a many years ago my 9-year-old Joey took on the responsibility of planting and watering the flowers in our large window box. One day as he was watering the flowers I heard him shouting in short staccato intervals which made him sound like a barking dog. Joey, “What is going on?” I said as I ran outside. Why are you doing?” “I’m giving the flowers a shout. “I’m gonna do this everyday because, you know, Mom the carbon dioxide from my shouts helps them to grow.”

“Alrighty,” I said and walked inside thinking how funny it was but also how this shouting could be effective for me too. Psalm 100:1 says, “Shout with joy to the Lord!” The goal is not to shout to get the joy or try to feel the joy but more because we have the joy and we want to release it with a shout. I’ve decided that joyful shouting is a good way for me to bloom right where I’m planted…everyday.