In March I went to the funeral of a very good friend who died after a 6-month battle with cancer. She was clearly loved and had touched the lives of many people judging from the numbers who attended. As we left the church we were all given a packet of wildflower seeds and bulbs.
I came home and planted them in a couple of pots in our backyard. Almost within days there were small shoots pushing up through the soil and the wildflowers came into bloom in early June. The bulbs, however took longer, with tall green spiky leaves, and just this week they have come into flower. I am reliably informed – (Google lens) that this flower is Gladiolus callianthus murielae (Abyssinian Sword-Lily). It was such a surprise to see it after such a dry summer when we were limiting our watering and I’d really forgotten about a lot of the pot plants.
It is so special that the memory of my dear friend lives on after her death through these beautiful flowers, and will hopefully continue to do so in the years to come.
Jesus died on the cross, he was buried (in a grave rather than the soil), he rose again to new life and he continues to live on in us.
Unlike my garden bulbs, Jesus only had to die once. He died once and for all, to pay the price for all our wrongdoings. He defeated death and came to new life, and so promises us eternal life if we believe in him.
Hopefully my friend’s memory will keep on giving, but I have no doubt that trust in Jesus is the true gift that keeps on giving.
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for memories of those gone before us that meant so much to us. Thank you for beautiful flowers that remind us of those whom we miss. Thank you, Jesus, that through you we are not dead. Thank you that when we believe in you, we are promised new life. AMEN