Flowers for the Living

Tonight  my daughter and I were going through boxes of pictures and memorabilia belonging to my mother-in-law, who is very ill. We recently moved her things out of her apartment after she had to be put in a nursing home. My husband asked us to look through the family pictures and find some of his mother through the years.  As we were sorting through the pictures and items that were dear to her, we found cards that she had received from her loved ones.  Several were from her son, Tom, who passed away years ago. I noticed he had written several notes of love and encouragement to his parents on many occasions telling them how much he loved them and what they meant to him. How wonderful that he expressed his thankfulness and gratitude to them while he had the opportunity.  He let them know that they had been great parents and he appreciated their sacrifice to provide for their six children.

Reading my brother-in-law's cards and notes made me ponder the importance of showing our love to people while we can. I remembered the phrase, Give Flowers for the Living. We do not hesitate to send flowers when someone dies to express our affection or say wonderful things about them at their funeral. But, often we regret that we didn't tell them how much they meant to us.

Flowers for the Living are those gifts of friendship, joy, gratitude, encouragement, and sharing given in appreciation. As Paul wrote to the Philippians, “I thank God for you…whenever I think of you.  My constant prayers for you are a real joy, for they bring back to mind how we have worked together for the gospel from the first.”  Paul sent his flowers in the form of a letter. Mary brought her flowers to Jesus in the alabaster box of ointment and anointed him. The flowers that you give may come through a kind word, freshly baked pie, or even a gentle touch.

Henry Ward Beecher was pleading for Flowers for the Living when he said, “Do not keep alabaster boxes of your love and tenderness sealed up until your friends are dead.  Fill their lives with sweetness, speak approvingly, and cheer them with words and deeds while their ear can hear them and their hearts be thrilled by them.”

Let's send our Flowers for the Living and release the wonderful fragrance of love and friendship!