Bring Your Flowers Now
Bring Your Flowers Now
Well, land sakes, looky here, the Lord done rolled out this here day like a warm quilt fresh off the clothesline in the backyard, and He’s ‘a-callin’ you over here to be lettin’ that there sweet sunshine be soakin’ clear down into the depths o’ your soul. Matthew 26:13 tells us, “Wherever the Good News is preached, Martha’s sister, Mary’s, act of love will be remembered.” Now that there is what you can call ‘a-leavin; a big ol’ mark that’ll be lastin’ longer than a billy goat’s grudge.
First Thessalonians 5:11 and Romans 15:2 remind us to “build each other up.” Not tear down. Not ignore. We gotta be ‘a-buildin’ folks up. Kind of like how a sensible mama hen done fusses over her lil’ baby chicks or how a good neighbor done shows up with a casserole when life knocks you plum sideways and backwards at the same time.
I remember when my girls were little and would come ‘a-runnin’ in with wildflowers they done picked from the yard. Sometimes they was flowers. Sometimes they was really weeds. Sometimes I was not real sure ‘zactly what they was. But those two lil’ girlies would be grinnin’ like lil’ ol’ possums ‘a-sittin’ in a peach tree and ‘a-sayin’ real proud-like, “These here are for you, Momma!” And let me tell you right now, buttercup, those purty, little ol’ bouquets coulda’ melted the frost right off any ol’ bad day.
Mary done the same kind ‘o thing for Jesus. She saw what others was ‘a-missin’. While the disciples was standin’ around ‘a-tryin’ to figure out sumpin’ ‘bout them there kingdoms and thrones, why, Mary, she was done ‘a-noticin’ the sorrow in His eyes. She was believin’ Him when He done said He was ‘a-goin’ to die, even if she couldn’t really wrap her mind around it. So, she done brought her flowers to Jesus right then an’ there. She done poured out her perfume, her best treasure, her love, right then an’ there while He could still be ‘a-feelin’ it.
Some folks was fussin’ at her. They said what she done was real wasteful. But Jesus done said it would be remembered and held dear forever. We gotta be ‘a-knowin’ then that there ain’t nothing wasted when it’s given with a pure heart that’s lovin’ the Lord.
And that there’s sumpin’ real good for us all to be rememberin’. Don’t be ‘a-waitin’ until someone is done laid out in death to be ‘a-sayin’ what they done meant to you. You gotta be bringin’ your flowers right now. Your words. Your kindness. Your encouragement. Your love. Be ‘a-givin’ it while they can still be ‘a-seein’, ‘a-hearin’, and ‘a-smellin’ it.
Father, help me be noticin’ the people around me who are needin’ real encouragement. Be ‘fillin’ me with compassion, courage, and kindness so I can be ‘a-liftin’ others up in their walk with You. Be ‘a-helpin’ my actions to be reflectin’ Your grace and shinin’ Your light wherever I mite be ‘a-goin’. In Jesus holy name, I pray. Amen.
Well, my stars, I reckon that there gab is commencin’ to be enough truth to done be ‘a-fillin’ a big ol’ wheelbarrow! Now you go on out there and be rememberin’ that them there purty flowers will be ‘a-doin’ a whole lot more good in someone’s hands than ‘a-leanin’ on that person’s headstone. So, be bringin’ your flowers right now, friend! Be ‘a-lettin’ the livin’ folks be knowin’ that they’re real loved right now while you still got time! We just gotta learn to be givin’ all the encouragin’ that we kin’!
With joy,
Gwen
