“My counsel for you is simple and straightforward: Just go ahead with what you’ve been given. You received Christ Jesus, the Master; now live him. You’re deeply rooted in him. You’re well-constructed upon him. You know your way around the faith. Now do what you’ve been taught. School’s out; quit studying the subject and start living it! And let your living spill over into thanksgiving.” (Colossians 2:6-7 The Message Bible)
We have heard the saying in the title on many occasions and we might have even said it aloud, referring to our wishes to receive our “flowers” while we are still in the land of the living. “Flowers” can be expressions of thanksgiving to those who guided you in the right direction, or influenced you to make good choices – choices you have never regretted. “Flowers” could be a small note that shows your gratitude to someone whose positive impression on you has been long-lasting. “Flowers” can be a small, unexpected thank-you gift, letting someone know they are appreciated and acknowledged for the things they did, frankly, things they did not have to do to help you along the way. “Flowers” can be all the good, appreciative words of thanksgiving that you were saving up to speak at a person’s homegoing celebration. “Flowers” can be many positive things or thoughtful actions and they can be uplifting to the recipient of the “flowers.”
This month I have been the surprised recipient of “flowers” from family, friends, church members, saints that have moved up to their higher calling, and individuals I knew decades ago. I’ll give five examples. First, I received gifts from my spouse and my children that, from a monetary and memorabilia perspective, were the best gifts ever. Second, I had an ex-student from the years 1973-1974 send me an unsuspected invitation to attend a special event with her and her husband. They had an extra ticket and out of all people, they offered it to me. Third, an individual who preached his first sermon at the church where I pastor Is preaching up a storm in another state. I had thought he had given up on his calling, so you know how I felt. Fourth, an engineer with an aerospace company contacted me after a decade and a half to express her appreciation for guiding her and others into the field of engineering when she was a high schooler, at a time when I was directing a pre-engineering program called the Minority Engineering Advancement Program. Finally, this past Sunday at our first service, I received two cards, one presented by a faithful church member, and another presented to me by a four-year old who never let’s anyone stop her from coming up to the pulpit to talk with me prior to service begins. Enclosed in both cards was a $20 dollar bill. On Monday, by the way, I used that money to buy a contemporary $80 end table that I incorporated into one of my design projects. Oh there were more gifts, more flowers, a pair of sock-house shoes from my sister, two expensive suits from my spouse and my oldest son, a Jackie Robinson Jersey from my four youngest boys, a tribute from my oldest daughter, and three gifts from my youngest daughter that included a décor item, a gift certificate, and a delicious sugar-free caramel, cheesecake! The “flowers” went on! I received unexpected cards and also cards from individuals who never forget the smallest special day, seeing my birthday as an opportunity to say thank you. One of my deacons shared some good news about his oldest son, and a member of our church, being recognized for scoring over 1,000 points in his college basketball career that ends this season. He was also recognized for his leadership. There are more “flowers.” A contractor I just met and had asked me to pray for him because of an upcoming surgery. Yesterday he emailed me a message of thanksgiving, with a selfie taken as he rested in his recovery bed. He let me know that things went well during surgery! Praise God! “Flowers!” “Flowers!” “Flowers!”
Enough of my story! Let’s turn the spotlight on you in a twofold manner. First let me give you some “flowers!” Thank God for your reading of these daily meditations over the years. Second, let me encourage you to give someone a few “flowers” today, showing your thanksgiving for how they impacted your life. Give them their “flowers” while they are alive. Go back and say thank you, like the one thankful, praise-filled leper in the passage below. If you do this, you will be doing a great thing. Have a wonderful Friday! Be blessed!
“Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.” (Luke 17:11-16 The Message Bible)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King