Angie May

Afastore.net director

June 2013 – Every bride looks forward to her big day. After months of agonizing over the perfect dress, cake and table decorations, the event is over in a matter of hours. Once the church is empty and the cake is devoured, the flowers are left all dressed up with no place to go. For Tina Barber, founder of Blooms of Grace, that scenario is the perfect opportunity for ministry. 

The concept of Blooms of Grace is that, after a wedding, the flowers would be donated to bless patients in a hospice situation. This idea came to Barber from a magazine clipping. “About seven years ago, I came across an article that I tucked into my inspiration folder,” said Barber, “but at the time I was expecting my third child so life was crazy busy.” Once her baby started school, it was time to make that tucked-away idea a tangible reality. Barber was ready, the only thing missing were the flowers. 

After speaking with a local florist, Barber was shocked at how many residual flowers remain from an event. “Most of the flowers are taken home by family or thrown away,” said Barber. “I knew I had to pursue it then!” From that meeting, Barber received her first batch of wedding flowers, and Blooms of Grace officially launched in April 2012. 

Now every Monday, Blooms of Grace delivers around 34 bouquets to two local hospice facilities. Each week there is excitement when the phone rings and more flowers are donated. Since word of the ministry has gotten out, flowers find their way to the Barbers from weddings, community events, birthday parties and even funerals. “The people that actually make the donation of flowers are the true givers; we are just a tiny part,” said Barber. “We call ourselves the flower taxi.”

Motivation behind Blooms of Grace was to use ministry as a teachable moment for her small children. “This really started as a way for me to teach my children compassion and service and incorporate that in our daily lives,” said Barber. Ella (7) makes most of the deliveries with her mom, and in the summer months, they are joined by Ella’s big brother, Chip (9). Barber shares, “In our house we pray, ‘Oh Lord, show me how to serve You by serving others.’” 

With any leap of faith, doubt can creep in, and at one point Barber questioned if she was doing the right thing. After arriving home from her first delivery, a call came in from the wife of a patient. “She told me, ‘You came to see my sweet husband today, and he didn’t know you were there but I did, and you are doing a wonderful thing.’” For Barber, that was the confirmation she needed. “I was like, ok, I get it! I’m supposed to be doing this!”

For Barber, starting a flower ministry was a simple concept, but without prayer it would not have been possible. For anyone looking to start a similar ministry, Barber recommends, “Follow your heart, be committed and make connections, but most of all, pray.” 

Over the past year, Blooms of Grace has touched many lives with bright flowers delivered by a little red wagon. But the experiences that Barber and her children have gained have taught them more than words can describe. Barber shares a special moment that brought perspective to the whole concept: “Last summer, one special patient we had visited passed away, and the family donated all the memorial flowers to me. Those flowers were able to go back to the hospice house. It was a full circle moment of giving – it’s just so simple.