The holidays have rolled in again. Thanksgiving is next week, and Christmas is only a little over a month away. That means that for families and friends schedules are about to get hectic. The stress of buying presents, traveling, and fellowshipping while still trying to work can leave us short on patience with strangers but also with loved ones. Pastor John Ramsey shared a story and I thought I’d share it with you. Bro. Ramsey had the habit of preaching with a red rose on his lapel each Sunday. A member of his church would give it to him each week before the morning worship. After the service he’d just toss it aside. He didn’t think a whole lot about it until one Sunday a little man, around 10-years-old, approached him. “Pastor, what are you planning to do with your rose today?” Pointing to the rose on his lapel, “Do you mean this?” “Yes sir. I would like it if you are just going to throw it away.” Pastor Ramsey took it off the lapel and handed it to the little fellow. The boy looked up, saying to the preacher, “I’m going to give it to my granny. My mother and father got divorced last year. I was living with my mother, but when she married again, she wanted me to live with my father. I lived with him for a while, but he said I could not stay, so he sent me to live with my grandmother. She is so good to me. She cooks for me and takes care of me. She has been so good to me that I want to give that pretty flower to her for loving me.” When the little boy shared that, Bro. Ramsey’s eyes were full of tears. “Son, that is the nicest thing I’ve ever heard, but you can’t have this flower because it’s not enough. If you look in front of the church, by the pulpit, you’ll see a big bouquet of flowers. Different families buy them each week for the church to enjoy as they worship. Please take those flowers to your granny because she deserves the very best.” That’s not the end of the story. The little man looked into the face of the pastor, “What a wonderful day! I asked for one flower, but I got a beautiful bouquet.”
Why tell this story? Because it shows us that there are people that we can bless and in return our hearts can be filled with joy, contentment, and peace. Focus on good things. Think about pure and beautiful things. Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Smile at those you meet as you prepare for the holidays. I’m making it a point to hold doors a little extra for those coming in and out when I am. I plan to speak a little kinder, friendlier, remembering that most people I’ll meet have stories much like the little boy that wanted the red rose. One wise lady said, “Do less correcting and more connecting; take your eyes off your watch and watch more with your eyes; know a little less and care a little more; do more hugging than tugging; and remember to see the oak tree in the acorn more.” I like the way she thinks. Plan well all the things you need to do this Holiday Season. Space your calendar. Daily walk with the Prince of Peace. Look for ways to bless others, even total strangers. A final thought. Perhaps that person you meet might be a test from the Lord and you could be “entertaining angels unawares” (Hebrews 13:2).