“Around here we write for five minutes flat on Fridays. We write because we love words and the relief it is to just write them without worrying if they’re just right or not. So we take five minutes on Friday and write like we used to finger paint. For joy in the process. No matter how messy the result.”

Today’s topic: GIFT

GO.

It had become a habit — buying myself flowers each week. On my way into the office, I’d stop at the store and pick out a pretty, inexpensive bouquet for my desk. Sometimes they were roses, sometimes gerber daisies…sometimes just a seasonal mix. Never over $10, but just enough to brighten my spirit and my office.

One week, as I was walking briskly through the store, running late (which was unfortunately becoming a habit), I grabbed something for lunch and passed the floral department. Oh, how I really wanted to pick up a pretty little bouquet. But that particular week was tight financially, and I just couldn’t justify the unnecessary expenditure. The extra $10 could be better spent elsewhere. “I don’t need it, it’s just a want. I’ll be fine without this week.” They were just flowers, and seemingly unimportant, but I was admittedly a little disappointed.

I arrived at my office speedily, throwing things all over my desk and hurriedly getting settled. And then I stopped in a stunned haze.

On my desk was a beautiful little bouquet of velvety red roses.

They were cut short, no excess babies breath or decoration, and the vase was a small square modern style. They were gorgeous. There was a small notecard that simply said, “For a job well done.” There was no signature.

I asked everyone at the office if they knew where the flowers came from. No one had a clue, or at least admitted to it. But I knew.

God sent those flowers. A small, personal, private little gift just from Him, just for me.

Sure, the delivery may have had skin on, even if I couldn’t identify them. But the true Gifter was the Giver Of All Good Things. The Giver of Love and of Life and of Laughter and of Himself. He never stops giving.

He never stops.

STOP.