All it Takes is One

 

I recently read a statement that went as follows: “I’d rather have one rose and a kind word from a friend now, than a whole truck load later.” Once when you attended a funeral, the church would be over crowded with well wishers packing the space with a variety of flowers. However the new trend is to give to a charity.

The statement above reminded me of a special lady I know in Troy, Alabama. For a short time we worked together at the Collegedale Christian School. A few years older than I, she had a profound impact on me in my early thirties. Without knowing it she lived up to Titus 2:4-5 in training me the younger woman. A simple yet powerful statement – one I have put into practice many times.

One day while sitting on the playground watching the kids we engaged in a conversation about sending flowers to funerals. Several of us talked about what we usually sent …my friend was quiet as the teachers chatted, then spoke up and said, “I don’t send flowers to funerals.” I have to admit, being young; I was taken back until the following words she shared. “I send flowers to the living not the dead.”

Another friend from Troy, wiser than her years, taught me a lesson by example. The lesson of giving for no other reason but to say, I care. More times than I can count she would show up at my door steps with a small gift in hands. A bright smile that warmed my heart and a hug that said you are important. I learned from her not to wait for birthdays and Christmas to show you care.

Another friend from Troy, taught me to be true. Stubborn herself, she used that steadfast personality to teach me to be honest. If I wanted to know the truth about myself, I would ask her. From others the truth might have stung more, but her words were laced with love. She, to this day, is someone who knows how to keep a secret and who would drop everything to run to my side.

Why do I tell you about these women that impacted my life from a town I once lived…because I want you to become a woman who brings CELEBRATION to another sister. Each morning we… get the kids ready for school, hurry off to work, hurry to get this or that done before returning home to cook dinner, wash a load of clothes, bathe kids, do homework, and then set the clock to do it all over again the next day. If we are not careful our day will become routine. Then life will end and a truck load of flowers will be waiting for us - ones we will never be able to smell their sweet aroma or see their splendor.

Stop

Stop and do as my friends did for me, not only will the one receiving the rose benefit from it’s sweetness but so will you. Those that know me know I’m a hugger. I tease people and say it’s because when you give a hug you get a hug, but you know it’s true. No teasing!

Recently we all witnessed the tragedy of the students from Virginia Tech. The TV brought into our homes the scenes as they unfolded. Did you notice all the flowers left for the victims? Did you notice all the hugs between friends and even strangers?  Those scenes touched our hearts, as they should, but sadly the victims couldn’t feel the hugs or see the flowers. What my friends taught me is to seize the day, the hour, the minute, the second of every precious moment. I wish I could say I have learned the lesson well. Sadly it sometimes takes a tragedy to remind me I need to show up on someone’s door step with a small gift and a hug just to say, “I care about you. You’re important to me.”

One small deed can change the world. It becomes the ripple in the water that grows to become a great wave. Someone’s day needs a rose. I’m sending you one in this message. Take time this week to CELEBRATE the love of Christ and SHARE IT. Don’t wait for a tragedy to send flowers.

You know it wasn’t the gifts, but the time my friends put into our relationship that mattered most to me. One taught me, one advised me, one shared with me, but they all gave me something to CELEBRATE – A FEELING OF BELONGING. (Galatians 6:10)

* A special note to those who are grieving the death of a friend or family member from the recent Virginia Tech tragedy. Our hearts are saddened. God be with you as we pray for healing. We celebrate their lives knowing this is not the end. Romans 12:15

 

Sherry DeBray – Author and Speaker

Send your comments to sfdebray@knology.net

Look for Sherry’s new book “Desperate Christian Women” in stores this summer.