It was just a simple Coca-Cola bottle vase that contained six red roses. And while it may not have appeared extraordinary to anybody else, it was a great treasure to me. Let me explain. A few weeks earlier, I mentioned in a sermon that we should give people roses while they are alive - because it's too late after they die. Naturally, I was speaking about acknowledging, complimenting, and affirming people for the good things they do and for being a blessing to us. I forgot that children take us literally when we say things. Anyway, I didn't give what I said another thought, and I went on about my business. However, the following Sunday morning, one of the sweet young children in the church where I was serving as Interim Pastor approached me in the pulpit before the service started. She had her hands behind her back, hiding something. Her grandmother told me that she wanted to tell me something. She then asked me if I remembered what I said about giving roses. When I told her I did, she took her hands from behind her back and lifted the six red roses in a Coca-Cola bottle vase toward me. Then, in an expression of pure love, as only a child can do, she said, "These are for you." Needless to say, my heart melted! Little does she know that she gave me a blessing I will take to my grave. God used a rare and precious moment like this to refocus and remind an ole crusty, battle-hardened preacher exactly why I do what I do for Jesus. I was reminded that the children are watching and listening and that they take what we say to heart – literally. Children express their love from the purest of souls and in the simplest ways. I was given a most precious gift!
Jesus understood the importance of children. He used them to teach His ole crusty fishermen disciples a lesson. In Luke 18:15-17(KJV), we find, “And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. 17 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.” He told them, “Boys, you’re too busy concentrating on this, that, and the other regarding the ministry. Right here is what it’s all about. You’ve got to become like one of these children if you want to make Me happy!”
Little children have no hidden agendas. Often, they are brutally honest. But they accept you at face value and love you for no other reason than – you exist! They are quick to tell you what they want, don’t want, like, and don’t like. And when you do something that hurts their feelings, they are quick to forgive and forget and return to being best friends.
Yeah, it was just a little girl who gave her preacher six red roses in a Coca-Cola vase. No big deal, right? Wrong! It was a tremendous act of pure, unselfish love. Thousands of people will view this column via the Internet, and many folks, just like you, are reading about what she did via a Pastor’s Column in a newspaper. And I’m sure all will be blessed by her act of love.
I believe God is giving us a gentle reminder of what He wants us to be like - all because a little girl chose to give her roses before it was too late.
Wow! What a lesson for us adults! What a lesson!
Brother Aaron
I want to encourage you to go to Facebook/Fresh Fire Ministries Hogansville, Georgia and click the “follow” button. I also want to encourage you to check out our updated website at: www.freshfireministries.com. Many things are on the way!
Thanks,
Brother Aaron