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The Secret Lives of Flowers
by Dr. Laura Heikes, Senior Minister
I’ve heard cats have nine lives, but I didn’t know flowers might have them, too. And yet one vase of flowers had at least three “lives” this week- all because of generosity.
The first life of those flowers was their presence at a memorial service for Chris Lavender’s parents. Most flowers have just one purpose, and these had found theirs. But Chris and Noel offered them as altar flowers for our worship on Sunday. They had a second life- bringing color and beauty and joy to our worship.
Then came the surprising third act.
Instead of taking the flowers home, Chris and Noel offered them to St. John’s to bless patients at Novant Hospital. That one beautiful arrangement became a dozen smaller ones, each with a little note that said, “God loves you and so do we.”
I grabbed one of our carts and wheeled them across the street to Novant. We gave flowers to the workers at the front desk and patient check-in. The woman who received them was so happy. “What church is this?” she asked, peering at my nametag.
“Oh,” I said, “it’s St. John’s, across the street. But we don’t need credit. We just want to share some goodness with you.” She smiled and said, “That’s what Jesus is all about.”
The nurses on each floor were delighted to receive a vase for their work area. And then they started naming patients who had no visitors, no flowers, or who could simply use a little boost. One patient was spending her birthday in the hospital. Her nurse smiled as she carried a vase towards the woman’s room.
A little beauty. A little kindness. A little reminder that someone was thinking of her.
On my way out, I had to update my clergy information at the patient services center. While that was happening, a woman and her daughter came in. I’m not sure what it was, but looking back, I think it must have been the Holy Spirit. I felt like I should offer her some flowers. So I did.
She looked at the card and whispered the words, “God loves you…” Her eyes filled with tears as she said, “I don’t know how people get through without that.” I listened as she told me that she had just lost the love of her life- her husband of 54 years.
I held her hand. I knew God needed to encourage this precious woman, and those flowers with their little note were the messengers. In that moment, flowers became a small, beautiful way for God’s love to find someone who desperately needed it.
I think we should do this more. And I’d love your help.
• If you have altar flowers, wedding flowers, funeral flowers, even party flowers- give them a second life. Bring them to St. John’s!
• We’ll take any vases you no longer need and give them new life, too. (Amanda says we’ll also accept money to buy thrift-store vases!)
• We’d love your help transforming big arrangements into smaller ones. It’s a fun and simple way to serve our neighbors.
• And I’d always love buddies to come hand them out. Hospitals, nurses’ stations, restaurant workers, grocery store clerks- there are so many people who could use a surprise blessing.
Who knows how many lives one vase of flowers might have?
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