Give Them Their Flowers While They Can Smell Them

Earlier this week, a high school classmate passed away from an accident at home.

My church's musician was found dead the other day. 

This does not include so many people who have departed this life within the past few days and the families and friends they left behind. 

What does that mean, Deacon Ced?

Simple: Give people their flowers while they are able to smell them, because once they leave this rock, that's it. We do not know when our time to step into eternity will be yet we must keep ourselves both fully prepared for that inevitable time and be the light we so often sing about on Sunday mornings. One inaction or cross word may be enough to kill one another, but what are we doing to be in loving support and care for our fellow brothers and sisters?

Treat others as you want them to treat you. This is what the Law and the Prophets are all about.

Matthew 7:12 CEV

We often trot out 2 Timothy 4:7 about completing the race, but what can we do prior to invoking what sounds like empty words to grieving family members and friends? Are we encouraging each other to keep going as times get rough? What happens when we get legitimately tired, feel underappreciated, and cries of despair are all we can wail out? Furthermore, where is the sincerity when we realize that we need a break before life breaks us?

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

2 Timothy 4:7

Instead, let's shower each other with love. Let's try pouring into each other fully. Let's give each other the opportunity to smell roses, tulips, daisies, marigolds, violets, honeysuckle, freshly baked tea cakes, etc. in not only our words but also in deeds. I'm pretty sure Christ would want that of us. Let's bathe in gratitude and all of those warm fuzzies spoken or written (with the latter, I'm gleaning from my younger days in ALL-STARS. Let me hear you clap once 😉).

Love is always supportive, loyal, hopeful, and trusting.

1 Corinthians 13:7

As we celebrate the lives Jason and D'Angelo and so many others led, it is more than okay to be sad, shed a tear, be at a loss of words, or even turn up - yet keep in mind what they meant to us and our shared memories - and remember to give each other our flowers as we are still able to give them a good whiff.