flowers b4 the end of holy week . . . .

i don't know how florists and nurseries do it, making sure their flowers bloom at precisely the 'right' time!  i suspect this must be their skill.  as people bring in their flowers in preparation for the decorating of the sanctuary on saturday, our church entry is spectacular to behold!

i am always amazed and appreciate flowers b4 the end of holy week; they remind me of the dilemma which is presented to us; a reminder that we can walk to the end because we know already what is at the end; the message that we live . . . . death does not have the last word even though the end is very real.

and so during this preparation for easter, which happens during the entire week, is this truthful reminder:  we live in-between the time of endings and beginnings; in-between the 'it has happened' and the 'not yet'.  yet even so, when my mom's cymbidium orchid began to bloom just before palm sunday, i kept saying, 'no!  not yet!  it's too early!'  but it wouldn't listen.  what's the message it was giving?  i suppose the message is this:   it is never too early to be on the journey to new life.  we can't always plan the 'right and perfect time'.  and we can't stop a flower from blooming, or the stones from shouting either 'injustice!' or 'hallelujah'!
  

so we must live through this time; the in-between, appreciating even when the flowers bloom "too early".

but what is 'too early'?  could it be that the flowers are a word of encouragement to our journey.  perhaps they are a reminder that we cannot stop what is happening, but must journey forth and do what must be done, preparing for the ancient reminder 'christ is risen; risen indeed'!

so, come what may, this is the time when we ready our hearts and minds for the gripping tale and the miraculous story that feeds our faith and makes our blooms, blossom!  this is our season to grow and respond and live in the faith.  more importantly, this is our time to share.  don't try to keep the blooms from their expression.  rather, let them lead us to faithfully share.

our story has no end; let this message not be silenced!

i will be away next week.  let the celebration continue!