The Art of Living in Abundance

The Anatomy of a Hydrangea

Let’s first talk about the anatomy of the hydrangea. This beautiful flower is a cluster of blooms on a singular stem. In that cluster, we see hundreds of flowers, but what we perceive as “petals” are actually sepals (modified leaves). The true flowers are the tiny, fertile buds located in the very center of the cluster. 

 

Because the sepals are leaf-like, they last much longer than traditional flower petals, which is why hydrangeas stay “in bloom” for months.

 

What is fascinating is that the sepals actually change color based on the soil.

 

• Blue flowers: Indicate acidic soil (low pH).

• Pink flowers: Indicate alkaline soil (high pH).

 

The Catalyst is the availability of aluminum in the soil that dictates the hue. In acidic soil, the plant can absorb aluminum, turning the petals blue. This ability to adapt makes the Hydrangea a prolific flower. 

 

Just as the flower adapts to the “soil” it’s planted in, God gives us the grace to adapt to our current season (grief, busy parenting, career shifts).

 

If you really think about it, the hydrangea is the perfect flower to represent abundance because abundance isn't one giant miracle; it’s the “cluster” of small mercies (the stepping stones) we find every day.

 

Beyond the "Big" Miracles

2 Corinthians 9:8 states, “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 

 

God can and will bless you abundantly. I would even say he blesses us when we don’t even deserve it. Think back to Exodus 16. The Israelites were grumbling and complaining against Moses and Aaron. They wanted to return to Egypt. They lacked trust in Moses, Aaron, and most importantly in God. 

 

With all that, what did God do? Did he say to them, “Fine! I saved you, and you're ungrateful. So take care of yourself!” It was quite the opposite; he gave them “just enough” every single day to ensure they were taken care of. 

 

Looking back on my life, I can see times I didn’t deserve God’s grace or spiritual abundance, but he provided it to me anyway. 

 

If we rewind more than 15 years, I was on a journey to a dark place, even though I did not realize it at the time. My ex-husband and I had just built a new house on 30 acres. He was struggling with depression, he began distancing himself from the family, and he was dissatisfied with his job for over a year at this point. 

 

One day, he came home from work and had had enough. He gave his notice with no plan B, other than that he wanted to open a business we had not planned for in advance. 

 

I was a freelance graphic designer, which helped to cover bills, but now with 2 kids, we had no steady income and no insurance.  We were drowning in a lot of ways. 

 

This was a scary time for me. After once again borrowing money from my parents to have enough gas to get my kids to school, I had had enough. I tried finding a design job, but no one in town was hiring —this was long before remote jobs became a real thing. So, I did the only thing I could —I took just any job. In this case, it was answering phones at a call center. It was not ideal, but it gave me insurance and a steady 40-hour-a-week paycheck. 

 

Call it resilience, call it stubbornness, call it what you want, but I have a hard time not striving for the next step in any job. So after 6 weeks of training and about 6 weeks into answering phones, the call was put out for employees who wanted to test pilot a new program. 

 

Heck yeah! Bring it on. 

 

I went to my supervisor and said, “Please throw my name in the hat.” He said to me I have to be employed there for a year before I would be qualified.

 

I kept pushing … relentlessly.

 

I kept reminding him that in less than 3 months, I went from a trainee to one of the top agents week over week.  He finally went to his boss, and they let me interview.  

 

A few weeks later, I started my new role … 6 more weeks of training, followed by 6 weeks in my new role on the phones, and the call went out for “supervisor academy”. Welp. Of course, I asked to apply! 

 

Once again, I was told I had not been there long enough. My brain: “Um … ok … we will see“.

 

Just like before … I was relentless.

 

The day of my supervisor interview, I was scheduled to meet with the VP of HR, the Senior VP of Operations, and the local Director. I was prepared! Not just mentally prepared —I created a full, spiral-bound pitch deck showing them why I was the logical choice. 

 

I walked in, sat down, and laid out my case. 5 minutes into the interview, the Senior VP looks at the local director and asks her and me to step out for a moment. We did.

 

Those 2 minutes in the hall were excruciating. I just knew I blew my chance. 

 

When the door finally opened, she asked the Director and me to come sit back down. As we sat, the Senior VP turned her chair to face the local Director, where she said to her, “You don’t know what you have here. I could put Michele into the Supervisor Academy program, but it’s a long road, and another company will steal her before we get to the end. You’ve had a recruiting position open for months. I highly suggest you offer her that position.” 

 

In that moment, I more than doubled my pay, became a salaried employee, and my schedule flipped to Monday - Friday, 8 am to 5 pm.

 

I know that was a lot to unpack, but stay with me. I promise, it will be very clear in a moment why this snapshot of my life matters. 

 

Between the time I landed the test pilot position and the recruiter position, I discovered my husband had been cheating on me for more than a year.  We spent time in counseling, but ultimately we ended our marriage.

 

I was now a single mom.

 

If it were not for the stepping stones God put in my path:

1. Husband quitting his job

2. Me taking the call center job

3. Getting my first promotion

4. Becoming the recruiter

 

… I would not have been able to financially provide for my kids. 

 

Going through it, I did not see it.  It was only getting through the other side of the storm that I realized he had already saved me before I knew I needed saving. Did I deserve it? Wholeheartedly, no. I was angry at my husband, I was angry at my extended family for not emotionally supporting me, and I was angry with God. I didn’t deserve his grace or spiritual abundance.  

 

But here is the thing. Grace is not given because of your works. Grace is a gift given freely by God, not because of what you’ve done but because of who He is. 

 

So, let me remind you. You ARE loved by God. He’s not going to keep you from the storm, but he will most definitely lay the stepping stones to help you through. You just have to be willing to advocate for yourself and take advantage of the stepping stones He is offering.

 

Coloring the Cluster

In my 52-week coloring meditation journal, Rooted and Blooming, I chose the Hydrangea for your meditation coloring page because, as we color a complex hydrangea, we have to focus on one tiny sepal at a time.

 

Each tiny flower is a micro-mediation in a way. You could easily assign an abundance to each one. Maybe your first one represents the Mercies in your life, while the next can be the strength you had in a time of struggle.

 

As you fill the page, watch how the individual “petals” of your life create a full, abundant bloom.

 

Each day you color in the tiny flowers, the “unfocus effect” will be that your cortisol levels will lower, the fog will begin to lift, and your relationship with God will blossom. 

 

14 Days of Abundant Thinking

Whether you are using Rooted and Blooming or your own journal, I challenge you to a 14-day path:
 

1. Days 1–7: Lean into the scripture. What does it mean? How does it tie to your life?

2. Days 8–14: Reflect on how your perspective has evolved after a full week of focus.
    

The Morning Ritual 

I prefer the morning, but whatever time you choose, keep it consistent to make it sustainable.

 

Observation over Information 

This journey isn't about memorizing facts; it’s about seeing beauty. Slow down, breathe, and be still.

 

Messy Grace 

Life happens. If you miss a day, the flowers will still be there. Grace is built into this process.

 

Resources and Next Steps

• The Supply List: Keep it simple—colored pencils, a favorite pen, and a humble heart.

• The "Why": Think of Rooted and Blooming as a physical “stepping stone” to help you walk this path.

• The Community: Share a photo of your hydrangea, revealing to your circle what Abundance now means to you. I would love it if you tag me at /DelcoureArt.

• The Invitation: Who else in your world could use 52 weeks of deeper connection with God? To make it easy to share the journey, I offer a Buy One, Get One at 50% off so you can invite a friend along.