Psalm 92 starts. It is good to praise the LORD and make music to your name, O Most High, proclaiming your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night,
For several years, I was privileged to work alongside residents and staff in a residential care home for elderly Christians. The words, from the Psalm quoted, formed what was then described as a theme but today might be called a mission statement or (very long) strap line!
One of the daily tasks I enjoyed was collecting the post and delivering it to the residents, either in their rooms or placing it on their “usual seat” in the lounge. Christmastime involved much more distribution, especially for two spinster sisters.
One resident, having received only two cards one morning, made an envious comment as she saw the large pile of cards for the sisters. Not knowing the circumstances behind the comment, I decided it was wiser not to respond, but it seemed to me that though the sisters had no family, they must have influenced the lives of a large number of people. In fact, on one occasion I joked with them, “The postman has to come in his van just to deliver your cards!”
In verses 12 to 14 of the same Psalm, the writer states,
The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;
planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God.
They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green.
What challenges me is that word “still”. These two sisters had been flourishing for many years and were still bearing fruit in their old age, and I believe the large number of cards they received each year reflected the impact they had on the lives of so many.
Today, of course, there are many other ways of sharing Christmas greetings, and may not be so evident to others.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, whatever our age may be, please enable us to flourish, grow and bear fruit – for your glory. AMEN.