There are so many things I love about our church—the people, our pastor, the singing of hymns, the fact that we stand when the Bible is read, and that we carry one another’s burdens and rejoice with the church family when they joy.

          But I also love something else—the beauty displayed in the sanctuary. Large, tall American and Christian flags flank the top of the platform, and a huge open Bible rests forefront.

          There’s something else, though. In this particular blog post I wish to share with you about the flower arrangements, beautifully designed and changed often throughout the year.

          I wondered who produced the floral arrangements. We’ve only been a part of this church family since we settled in Missouri, unlike many members who’ve been there forever (okay, maybe not forever but a long, long time).

          Come to find out these were arranged by two lovely octogenarians—identical twins, t’ boot! Jenette and Jeniece—Jenette being a member of the congregation. I admired their skill and faithfulness to this task.

          But imagine my surprise to discover the church had a flower room! Yes, full of beautiful arrangements—the “flower girls” preparing them all.

          When I learned who was responsible for the floral decorations, I wanted to meet this person (not realizing then Jenette had a twin).

          You see, my husband and I are part of the music ministry at church. We love serving in this way, but the disadvantage (besides always having full hands to and from the car)? We never finished packing up instruments before most of the people exited the church. Thus, after a handful of years there, we still didn’t know all our church family.

          And I didn’t know Jenette, so I decided to write her a note to tell her how much I love the flowers. The way she blends them, the textures, the color schemes!

          She replied with so much gratitude, warmth, and love! And it wasn’t long after that we met and exchanged hugs. (She’s a small lady but a big hugger!)

          I also wanted to know more about these ladies and how they became the “flower girls.”

          Yes, Jenette and her sister did this together, just like they did so many other things in their long lives. But now Jenette serves alone since God walked Jeniece Home last year.

          I asked Jenette if she’d share with you how she and Jeniece “adopted” the mission of flower arranging, and she gladly agreed. So, now I’ll turn over this blog post to her.

          Thank you, precious Jenette! 

          “I have been fixing flower arrangements for my church for about 6 years. Before I started doing this, my friend fixed them until she passed away. I prayed about it and felt like God wanted me to take on that role, so I told the preacher.

          I don’t feel like I have a talent for arranging flowers, but I pray before I start, and God guides me. I love doing anything to serve and honor Him.

          I have always loved wild flowers in the field, so I have God’s flower garden in my backyard. I did this with the help of my twin Jeniece. She helped me dig up wild field flowers to plant in my yard.

          I always asked Jeniece’s opinion about every arrangement, then she would go with me to take them to the church.

          God started showing me how to fix so many different arrangements that I had several prepared in advance. God knew that I would need them as I contracted an autoimmune disease for about a year and couldn’t use my hands. My children had to care for me. and my daughter stayed with me. God healed me, and I was so thankful to be able to do the flowers again as I get such enjoyment out of it.

          I had 2 children, a boy and a girl—and Jeniece had one daughter. She thought she was not going to have any children, but after being married 8 years, she finally had a girl. Unfortunately, her daughter had cancer and passed away at 50 years old.

          Our Bible verse is Matthew 7:12 as the Golden Rule is a favorite of mine and my twin sister. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” One of our all-time gospel favorites is Amazing Grace— sang at Jeniece’s funeral.

          It’s going to be a different life without Jeniece, but with God’s help I can make it.”  –Jenette 

          Jenette continues adding beauty to our world and church. And, even as Jenette still cares for her backyard garden, Jeniece is in “the Garden of Eden in the skies” (translation of the Hebrew word for Heaven)! Isn’t that amazing? Twins still walking in their gardens!

          As I thought more about these ladies, I’m reminded about the work of our hands—using them for the Lord. I also reflected on the talents God has loaned us. The church flower arrangements are visible reminders too; and I smile, thinking of the lovely ladies who used their hands and talents (yes, Jenette—you do have this talent) for the Lord.

          Have I given God my Hands? Do I use them for Him? Not all my hands find to do for the Lord require talent. Some of those things are just needful, time-consuming, and hard work. On other occasions God may ask me to do something for Him that really does require talent. Either way, am I willing? I pray I’m faithful in this!

          May you be also—just like the “flower girls!”

“…establish thou the work of our hands upon us;

yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.” Psalm 90:17b

&

“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might…” Ecclesiastes 9:10a

I Give My Hands to Do Your Work

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lL5QrV5f89g&list=RDlL5QrV5f89g&start_radio=1

.

 

#hands #flowers #floralarrangements #twins #Godsdesign #talent #servingtheLord #gardens #workofourhands

 

Photo credit:

Twins when young—used w/ permission from J. Waggoner

Twins when older—by Linda Heman, used w/ permission

Hebrew interpretation: Carolyn Burns 

One Feisty Old Man

           Can you imagine serving in the Military at the age of 78? 

          Impossible you think?

          Contraire!

          Let’s travel back to the town of Menotomy, Massachusetts—Revolutionary War time. The date? April 19^th, 1775.

          British forces marching back to Boston from the Battles of Lexington and Concord were targets for colonial militiamen.

          Captain Samuel Whittemore was in his field when he spotted a British relief brigade approaching. He prepared for battle, determined to protect his property and hometown. Taking cover behind a stone wall, he loaded his musket, fired, and killed a British grenadier. The Captain then drew his dueling pistols, taking down another grenadier (and possibly another soldier).

          This elderly man didn’t think twice before rendering his service at the age of 78—a Veteran of previous wars (his last time serving at age 64). History records Captain Whittemore as the oldest soldier in the Revolutionary War.

          I wonder what “lit the fire” under this gentleman. Might it have been the published words of Thomas Paine in Common Sense?

“These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine

patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that

stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like

hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harderthe conflict, the more glorious the triumph.”

          Age isn’t the only amazing thing about this gentleman! His courage continued despite the Redcoats blowing off part of his face and cheekbone. They then bayoneted him numerous times (no less than 6), clubbed him in the head, and shouted, “We have killed the old rebel!”

          Whittemore “lay in a pool of his own blood with his hat and clothes shot through in many places—and in a position showing he attempted to again load his musket.”* He was discovered 4 hours later.

          The doctor attending him gave no hope of survival. But…

          …he didn’t die. Not then anyway.

          Would you believe that feisty old man lived another 18 years? Yes, to the ripe old age of 96.

          Many people today retire at the age of 65 or there abouts and settle into a life of leisure. Some take on part-time employment to remain active, adopt a hobby, join clubs, travel.

          Others may not be able to be as active, dealing with infirmities. But…

          If you’re not dead (and I assume you’re not since you’re reading this blog post), you’re not finished yet. You have purpose until your last breath. Oh, you may be led in a different direction than what previously filled your days. but God has something He wants you to do.

          Senior citizen, if you’re not sure what that is, ask Him. And while you await His reply, think on these words found in Psalm 71:18 (NKJV):

“Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God,

                              do not forsake me,

                                    Until I declare Your strength to this generation, 

                                    Your power to everyone who is to come.”

          No, you won’t be called up for Military service, so take a deep breath. Ahhhh. You may not even be physically able to do all that Captain Whittemore accomplished at his ripe old age. But…

          Can you pray for others? Visit someone who’s lonely? Help youth build something creative? Teach a skill? Take a short-term mission trip? Give a testimony to folks who’d be blessed to know God has been faithful to you always—thus fulfilling the challenge in the Bible verse above—declaring God’s strength and power to everyone?

          Opportunities are endless, and the risk of you getting your cheek blown off with a musket ball during any of them? Minimal to zip!

I’ll Go Where You Want Me to Go

 

It may not be on the mountain’s height or over the stormy sea,

It may not be at the battle’s front my Lord will have need of me;

But if by a still, small voice He calls to paths I do not know,

I’ll answer, dear Lord, with my hand in Thine, I’ll go where You want me to go.

 

(Refrain) I’ll go where you want me to go, dear Lord, o’er mountain or plain or sea;

I’ll say what you want me to say, dear Lord, I’ll be what You want me to be.

 

Perhaps today there are loving words which Jesus would have me speak,

There may be now, in the paths of sin, some wand’rer whom I should seek;

O Savior, if Thou wilt be my Guide, tho dark and rugged the way,

My voice shall echo the message sweet, I’ll say what You want me to say. (Refrain)

 

There’s surely somewhere a lowly place in earth’s harvest fields so wide,

Where I may labor thru life’s short day for Jesus the Crucified;

So, trusting my all into Thy care—I know Thou lovest me.

I’ll do Thy will with a heart sincere, I’ll be what You want me to be. (Refrain)

 

(from the hymn, I’ll Go Where You Want Me to Go, by Mary Brown, c. 1891, public domain)

This blog post is dedicated to Roger Hofmann, Jim Wickliffe, & Ronnie Fieker—

3 “feisty old” men who still love & serve the Lord in their “upper” years.

 

P.S.—Lo and behold, we learned my husband is distantly related to

Captain Samuel Whittemore—common ancestral connection: his paternal grandparents.

 

 #RevolutionaryWar #battleofMenotomyMA #soldier #elderly #purpose #nevertooold #seniorcitizen

*from The Indispensables—The Diverse Soldier-Mariners Who Shaped the Country, Formed the Navy,

and Rowed Washington Across the Delaware, by Patrick K. O’Donnell, 2021, Atlantic Monthly Press, NY

and additional information from Wikipedia.

 

Photo credit: characature—Boston.com / obit—findagrave.com