Dear Rose Park,
Last Saturday, we gathered in the sanctuary to celebrate and remember the life of Carlene Hartman. Carlene was a staple in the Rose Park family, and she will be dearly missed. But thanks to one of her favorite flowers, her memory is going to stick around for quite some time.
The following paragraph comes from Carlene’s obituary:
Carlene’s favorite flowers were sunflowers. Several years ago, she gave her daughter Julie, a quote engraved on a decorative sunflower garden stake that read, “sunflowers are a reminder to be strong, stand tall, and always find the light.” So appropriate as to the way Carlene lived her life. We will all miss her dearly.
As a pastor, it’s my job and calling to see the world a bit differently. It’s my job and joy, as the Apostle Paul encourages us, to, “set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” When I read that Carlene’s favorite flower is the sunflower, I can’t help but set my eyes on things that are above and see God.
And in so doing, I notice something. Some of you may already know this, but sunflowers follow the sun. They face the east anticipating the rising sun. Then as the sun moves across the sky towards the west, the sunflower follows its path. When the sun finally sets, the sunflower returns to face east so that it can begin again the next morning. This is a remarkable gift that only God could have imprinted onto the sunflower.
In the gospel of John, Jesus is recorded as offering these most famous words: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” The sunflower is always facing the light and in a similar way, it is the call of the Christian to always face the light of Jesus. Carlene sought to live her life always facing the light of Christ, always seeking His glory, and always pointing others to the light of Christ as well.
So, as we continue journeying towards the cross of Good Friday and the empty tomb of Easter Sunday, it is my hope and prayer that you might be like a sunflower; no matter how dark it might be, might you always follow the light of Christ.
Grace & Peace,
Pastor Mark
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash