We have all seen grass growing in the cracks in sidewalks. But this morning I saw a full blown petunia smiling at the sun and all who passed over it. What amazed me was hundreds of people were stepping over it leaving it unharmed. How grand. Lest I leave the impression all these people were consciously aware and being kind and ecologically responsible, I have to point out the petunia was strategically located in a crack between the sidewalk and the first concrete step going into a building on our campus. But it was right in the middle of our summer graduation crowd and I must add it made it so much better for its presence.
Being egotistical I wondered if my presence in the crowd added as much pleasure as did the petunia. Honestly speaking, I seriously doubt it. Being that crowds are not my favorite place I went to my office as soon as I could. Families were busy celebrating and taking pictures. A handful of loose balloons sailed high and out of sight. These used to be great days for Kodak but digital cameras have changed all that.
Have you ever departed from a gathering being sorry that you had talked too much? Sometimes we become infatuated with our own wit and think everyone in the room needs us to carry the event. Yuk! We get in the car and chastise ourselves for thinking we added pleasure to the crowd. In Romans 12:10 Paul wrote, “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another.” Today a single silent petunia added to the day. I should learn that silently listening to another is a sure way to bring pleasure to another.
Written by Roger Bothwell on July 18, 2011
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org