Cone Flowers and Bee Balm

Most of my paintings start with a feeling, an idea, or concept I am trying to describe. Flowers are great for this. Not only are they beautiful but most species of flowers have a meaning assigned to them. Most animals too. Red roses represent love and passion while white daisies represent innocence. Usually this is how my paintings start, not this one. This piece was inspired by a photograph. I liked it and drew up a sketch. I added a few butterflies but never started drawing it. I kinda forgot about it. Then this photograph kept coming to my mind. It would pop into my head while I was washing dishes, in my dreams, over and over again for several months.
Finally, I sat down and started to draw it out. When I was about half way done painting the thought ran through my head. What is the story? Butterflies represent new life, rebirth. I decided to start by looking up the meaning of the individual flowers.
Coneflowers, the big pink ones, symbolize strength and healing.
Bee balm, the burgundy ones across the top represent clarity of thought, prosperity, and protection. "Ok Jesus... This is getting a little close to home". I thought.... "These are the things I have been praying for or experiencing."
"What about that wispy blue stuff in the middle there. What does it mean?" By now I was intrigued. they are Russian sage. It means FEARLESSNESS.
In that moment that I read that did I find peace? Yes!
Did I know God had led me to paint this for a reason? Yes!
Did I know it was speaking directly to my situation, to my hopes, dreams, and the answers to a lot of questions I had inside? Yes!
If you need to hear a message about rebirth, renewal, strength, healing, clarity, prosperity, that God has got this, you are protected! You do not need to be afraid! The lord is speaking to us all the time. We need only to listen.