Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in all purity.
1 Timothy 4:12 (NKJV)
A smiling, teenaged girl stopped at our table in the church café. She held yellow and orange flowers in one hand and clutched a large basket in the other.
“Would you like a flower?” she asked.
My friend and I each received a lovely bloom from her.
“Would you like a cookie?”
She pulled a couple of bags from her basket. She told us it was the first attempt at making decorated cookies. We each took a bag with slightly imperfect pumpkin faces on sugar cookies.
She beamed as we accepted her delightful gifts and then left to continue her mission.
While I visited with my friend, I ate one cookie and later gave the second one to my granddaughter. With no vase or water, I picked up the sagging flower before attending a meeting.
Then during lunch with another friend, the slightly wilted blossom waited in a warm car.
When I arrived home hours after receiving the once charming gift, it went into a vase with clean water. Its forlorn head dropped to the top of the container.
Thoughts swirled in my mind. Should it be propped up? Maybe it should go into the garbage but I left it alone.
Every time I looked at the dejected bloom, I remembered the happy young lady who walked around church spreading joy.
A surprise awaited me the following morning. The droopy head stood upright and perky. Infused water revived the almost dead plant. Days later it continued to add beauty to my home.
Sometimes we feel downcast, disheartened and despairing like my flower. But Jesus can infuse us with His love and compassion. Life returns. Then we can spread His joy and light to the world.
The flower/cookie girl had no idea how her presents would affect the recipients but she took time to joyfully share with strangers.
We can learn from her gifts and kindness as we spread the love of Jesus to others.
Jesus, thank you for the young people who know you and demonstrate that love to the world including their elders. Help us to do the same.
Amen
