I don’t think anyone has sent me flowers before.
But yesterday, I got an email from a friend in Oregon with a picture of two bouquets of roses. Mark Warner is a former pastor and former alcoholic who knows the dark side well. His email was titled: Why I Take Flowers to Two 95 Years Olds at the Retirement Center.
The words that followed were some of the most profound I’ve ever read in such a short reflection:
I do not do these things to fill up something lacking inside my psyche, to be nice, or to respond to the popular saying “WWJD.” I give and serve so I am not consumed by the hatred I see swirling around me and risk becoming what I see in others.
We are in a dark time and hatred runs rampant. The image of God placed inside me will be destroyed if I give in to the darkness. Over the years, many have hated me, many times people have tried to derail my career and, at times, my life. To save my own soul I cannot give in to the hatred, to the evil.
Serving and giving is the way for me to life. Jesus said we are to love our enemies, not for a misplaced sense of revenge or to prove our own moral superiority, but so that we are not consumed by the same spirit that possesses them. For that I need His miraculous help. Then, I am able to say with Tiny Tim in Charles Dicken’s The Christmas Carol, “…may God bless us everyone.”
Love wins my friends. Every time. Especially in me.
I’ve never seen a time when fear and anger have so dominated a nation, where people strike back tit-for-tat and feel justified in attacking people they consider “the other.” This piece set my heart at rest in his love in a delightful way. We don’t have to join the fight in our world and demean others, but can yield to a grander call from a more powerful kingdom inviting us live to a different rhythm so that we will not be consumed by the evil that seeks to destroy us all.
Live loved… and then love… freely. (John 13:34-35)
Love freely and extravagantly, to people who don’t deserve it, and in places you’re not obligated to do so.
The world will change. Jesus said it would.
Love is the Cure!!!!!
Wayen,
Thank you for sharing this wonder-filled display, re-presenting of the living Christ touching and healing a world lost in not knowing of His love!
Richard
It has been said that when people grow older, you can see what they are really like – they don’t care about putting up a guard. I would say that when the chips are down, the same can be said.
What I think is happening at the moment is that we are being given over to that. How do we respond? Generally, we can see selfishness rise it’s ugly head, pushing and perverting society. It cannot be endured and yet it must. We must continually remind ourselves to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength and to love others, respect them and treat them with great honour because our God does. Write his words on our hearts so that they become the foundation of our lives.
Bless ya.
Live loved…and love freely…your friends and more,your ennemies…pray for them both ,more intensely for your ennemies because it’s not natural ,it’s divine…so you have “to force your soul “a little bit more..
Sheila,
What a wonderful response to Waynes article, thank you!
Richard
“The image of God placed inside me will be destroyed if I give in to the darkness.”, “Serving and giving is the way for me to life. Jesus said we are to love our enemies, not for a misplaced sense of revenge or to prove our own moral superiority, but so that we are not consumed by the same spirit that possesses them.”, “Live loved… and then love… freely. (John 13:34-35)”.
💖💖💖
Thank You for sharing!
It is not try, but trust.
It is not do, but done.
God has won for us,
Great victory through his Son.
Corrie Ten Boom Auschwitz, 1944
When the miracle happens and I no longer hate, that is a wonderful day!