Give Your Flowers to the Living
Someday, when dead your loved ones lies
Beneath the grasses of the plain,
Will you be happy for the years you spent,
Or ridden by guilt and its pain?
After they’re gone it is too late to give flowers,
You might as well not do it and save.
If you didn’t give them when they were alive
It is much too late at their grave.
Cherish them while you can
And love them before they die.
So when they’re no longer here
You won’t need to cry.
Then you can feast on the memories
And treasure them one by one,
Instead of feeling guilty
About what should have been done.
Because in this way you’ll remember,
Through the action of heart-felt giving,
It is better to love them while they’re alive
And give your flowers to the living.
By Dan Langerock
Chaplain Dan Langerock is a former hospital chaplain from California. After thirty three years of marriage, he was widowed. He recently married again, moved to Michigan, and is now looking for a full time job and ministry there.
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21
Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 1 Timothy 6:18
And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Hebrews 13:16
If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3: 17-18
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:6-7
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. Proverbs 3:27
Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.. Matthew 5:43-44
But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Luke 6:35
Love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud. Love is never haughty or selfish or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable or touchy. Love does not hold grudges and will hardly notice when others do it wrong. Love is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out. If you love someone, you will be loyal to them no matter what the costs. You will always believe in them, always expect the best in them, and will always stand your ground in defending them. I Corinthians 13:4-7
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See Sweet Devotions, Through the Doors of Eternity
Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord. 2Corinthians 5:8 (NLT)
But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better. I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. Philippians 1:22-23 (NLT)
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. John 14:1-3 (NIV)
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