Care

I contributed the following article to my church’s newsletter years ago. It certainly looks as though I was a better writer then than I am now or perhaps, I was a basically a nicer person then? Still I would like to share it with you and at the same time, remind myself not to be guilty of neglecting my loved ones.

“Someone once said “ We never truly realize how much something means to us until it’s no longer by our side.” How true! All of us have, at one time or another experienced this – taking something or someone for granted, failing to appreciate what we have until it’s taken away. Only then do we begin to realize how precious that something or someone truly was.

You know, there is a saying “A rose to the living is more than sumptuous wreaths to the dead.” Isn’t it a bit late to buy flowers for the dead merely to lay it on their graves? Will the dead ever begin to appreciate flowers, however lovely their fragrances? But to one who is living, a single stalk of rose can mean an awful lot.

Just for a minute, reflect on those around you, your family members, friends and other dear ones. Have you ever told them you love them or how much you care? Don’t you think they deserve to know? Why do we always wait for special occasions like Birthdays, Valentine’s Day, etc. to shower our loved ones with flowers, gifts and cards? Sure it’s nice to receive flowers on those days but it’ll no longer be a surprise then, will it, especially if one is already accustomed to receiving flowers on such occasions. But, what of ordinary days? Don’t we tend to take each other for granted then? Deep down, each and every one of us needs to feel loved and appreciated. No one is isolated in this case. Ordinary days are ordinary days but they can become memorable days when someone makes an effort to turn those ordinary days into special days just by doing something nice. And it doesn’t really require much effort.

Why can’t we learn to show our appreciation for one another? How often do we neglect to show our care even though we may truly care? Oh sure, we Malaysians are an inhibited lot. Still, it is said that the love in your heart is not love till you give it away. How about taking time to care? Give your friends a hug, surprise someone with a small gift; brighten someone’s day with a rose, a smile or even, just a kind word.

Jesus has commanded us to love one another and love is not inactive. It is doing something for someone else unconditionally, without expecting anything in return. That’s love. Matt. 5:16 says, “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Let us therefore, be living proofs of God’s existence by spreading His love. How else will people tell us apart except, as the song goes “ .. and they’ll know we are Christians by our love…”

P/S Incidentally, since we’re on the subject of flowers. We have fresh roses for sale on Valentine’s Day. We provide free delivery (Klang valley) for a minimum purchase of ½ dozen stalks. Please call 31686440 to place your order now!

F