One of my biggest pleasures each summer is the many types of flowers sprinkled around my yard. I love everything from the daisies and petunias to my beautiful and elegant rose bushes. I not only enjoy them when I spend time outside, but I frequently cut some in the morning and take them to school for my desk. One particular morning in June, I chose a small bunch of full and fragrant peony blossoms, looking forward to enjoying their beauty and scent all day long.
In the car, I noticed the gas gauge and decided to stop at the station down the street. It was as I was filling the tank that God planted the idea in my mind. While I really didn’t know her, He wanted me to give the peonies I had cut to the young woman behind the cash register.
At first I hesitated, wondering what she would think of a total stranger giving her flowers. But, His whispers have never led me wrong before, so I took the flowers in with me.
She looked startled when I first handed them to her. Then she began to cry. Had I misinterpreted what I was supposed to do?
Worried that I had offended her somehow, I started to apologize.
“No, you don’t understand”, she said through her tears. “I didn’t think anything could happen to me today that could heal my broken heart. But now it has! You see, I’m going to my grandmother’s funeral this afternoon and I have been feeling so guilty and so very sad.
“We haven’t spoken to each other in years. It was such a stupid argument that started it all! Ever since I got the news that she was gone, I realized what a waste it was for us to have stayed angry all these years. I’ve been filled with so much regret that I would give anything to take that time back so I could go to her and tell her that I love her and I’m sorry. But, of course, it is too late now. So I was hoping for some way to know that she understood and that she had forgiven me. I just didn’t think that it was going to happen!”
I guess that I looked puzzled because she continued, “You see, when I was a little girl, I went to stay with my grandma for a week every year after school let out in June. I always hated to leave. So, when it was time for me to go, she would cut me a big bouquet from the pink peony bushes that grew in her front yard. She told me that whenever I smelled their fragrance, I should remember that she loved me and that she was looking forward to the next time we would get to see each other!”
While I could barely manage to get the words out, I said, “Then I guess these flowers are from her–and I’m just the delivery person. She wanted you to know that she never stopped loving you, even though you hadn’t talked to each other in all this time. She knows you are sorry. She is, too, and she has forgiven you. And, I’m sure that when you do get to finally see her again, she’ll be waiting for you with open arms.”
Overcome with emotion, I gave her a quick hug and left, thanking God for allowing me be His messenger of healing and hope that morning. What a privilege it was and how easy it could have been to miss the opportunity and to be reminded of two very important lessons.
Our time here is so short and it is so easy to let meaningless things get in the way what is of most value in our lives. If there is a rift between you and someone within your family or circle of friends, don’t take the chance of waiting until it is too late and they are gone. Nothing is more important than the people that God has placed around us. Call or write that person today and do what it takes to heal your relationship.
We lead such busy lives and are surrounded by so much commotion and noise. It is all too easy to miss that still, small voice or question its motive because we don’t understand His purpose. Listen carefully for His whispers, and whenever you are lucky enough to hear one, respond and do what He asks. You will always touch someone when you follow His lead. You may need to make some small sacrifice along the way. But, I promise, you will receive an even greater blessing yourself.
Thank you so very much. GOD is so awesome and amazing! I remember Him sending a stranger to comfort me at a moment when I was totally devastated after a miscarriage. She eased my aching heart at that moment, and I truly needed it! GOD since then has blessed me with a beautiful daughter, after three sons, lol, and she will be twenty this year! They all know Christ- what a blessing! And I know that we all will see that baby in heaven one day. My heart rejoices at how our Father reaches down to us, and makes His presence, love and caring known to us!!! PRAISE HIM!
This message is a dual blessing for me. I just heard a sermon speaking to this very message of being used by GOD, and He has been working on me on the issue of forgiveness for my mother and how to pray for her, not be hurt by the things she has done, and continues to do. That was my real struggle…what she continues to do to hurt me. He taught me to forgive her, understand that there is something wrong, to be concerned for her and pray for her, and then, to let Him handle the hurtful things. Did I already say, Amazing GOD? Lol…we serve an awesome GOD, and we have an amazing, wonderful Savior, Father and Friend!
AWESOME! AWESOME
Very touching.
What great faith and obedience.
Love it. . . thanks for the reminder.
When we begin to wonder what people may think, that is when we falter and miss the voice of the Most High God. If our intentions our pure and good, then we need not worry about what others may think. In the world that we live now, giving flowers and hugging the opposite sex could be misconstrued as a sign of having a sexual interest in that person. ‘Luke 8:17 – For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.’ Our Heavenly Father knows our every thought, He knows us internally and externally. If we are doing what God intends us to do, even if people misunderstand our intentions, He will defend us and speak on our behalf. Acting on the voice of God, people may brand you as crazy or weird but let them. ‘Romans 8:31 …If God be for us, who can be against us?’
thanks for the awakening message….
super!
I need you guys to join me in prayer
I thank God for His gift of life to me and my family and His grace of protection, provision and preservation upon our lives
I need God to arrest every member of my family and grant them true salvation
I need God to establish and satisfy me with a federal job so that I can be a source of help to our parents
I need God to restore our parents’ health
I need God to protect every Jesus Corp member in Nigeria; most especially in the Northern states
I need God to use every minister of the Gospel so that they don’t lead people astray with wrong teachings
I need God to turn the heart of Nigeria leaders to do the right thing.
Praying with you brother. It is exactly a year ago, to the day, that you posted this…and I pray by the awesome abundant grace of GOD that most of your prayers here, if not all, have already been answered!Thank You Holy Father GOD for the privilege of prayer and for Your answer! May Your will be done!