A Crushed Flower    

A Crushed Flower Wednesday, September 3, 2008 - 8:00 AM

A Crushed Flower Henna Henna, a shrub producing masses of small, white, heavily fragrant flowers, has been widely used as a cosmetic from ancient times until present. It is popular in the Middle East as a dye which is applied in intricate patterns on the hands and feet of brides. The whole unbroken leaves of henna will not stain the skin; however, when they are broken or crushed the color is released to stain the skin. The mention of the alluring fragrance of Henna is quite appropriately found in the beautiful love song of the Bible, Song of Songs 1:14. It is a smell you can fall in love with instantly and is thought to be the source of Cleopatra's famous captivating perfume. The root word for Henna is derived from an Arabic word meaning emotional tenderness. We, like the Henna leaves and flowers, can become spiritually tender and extremely fragrant when we submit to the breaking of our own wills in true repentance before the Lord. Psalm 51:17 "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." Oh Father, when I come before you, I am like a crushed flower that emits a sweet savor of heady fragrance, I am pleasant in Your sight, for in this state of brokenness I become Your delight. You see me, with eyes of love, and compassion, and Your forgiveness runs down like the oil upon Aaron's beard, and then You reach down and pour in the oil and the wine, and once again, I am restored, I am able to abide. The essence of perfume from the sacrifice of asking for Your love, and Your forgiveness, mingles with Your oil, and it is holy unto You, the pleasantness of being in Your presence, once again refreshes, and everything I pray is a given sacrifice of love, to my Abba Father, Your balm of Gilead stays upon My head, and I am once again, broken free in Thee. Lisa Beth Jenkins Copyright 2008 All Rights Reserved