When I first lived in Denver, I was in my early 20's and as young men go believed I was very much in love with "the one!" Alas, she did not return the same affection so when the opportunity to make a grand gesture came along I was quick to spring into action.

You see, about October/November every year in the city the greenhouses cull their roses. That is, the long stem roses you buy in February are apparently grown in the fall and kept refrigerated so when that valentine season of year came along they could be pulled out perfect and exactly on time. This means they grow hundreds of thousands of roses but only keep the best of the best due to lack of storage (and a business model of "making them scarce so the price is high")

Anyway, what to do with all those less than 100% perfect, or simply a bumper crop of roses in November? Well you sell them off obviously at prices like $20 for 200.

And so it was that I went with box in arms to my lady's house with 200 long stem roses to proclaim my love for her in a unique, unforgettable way. Surely this would win the day. Those who know me can just imagine this is the sort of thing I would do....

Well , it worked! At least at first. I certainly got her attention, and she was taken with my thoughtfulness. Until about a week later when a rival bought her a bracelet (as my now week old roses in jars and vases all over her house were sadly drooping....) When I asked her how she could be so fickle, she replied the classic line "Well, what have you done for me lately?" and my heart, like the last of the roses, wilted away.

God, like his word and his love, endures forever. There are those who might be willing to consider the incomparable grand gesture he made for us by sending his son to be a sacrifice for our sins, but before they even give it much though they say "sure but that was 2000 plus years ago, what has he done for me lately?" as if they were someone to be courted and such a "great catch." What they fail to realize is that God is more than simply gestures - granting them life, time, opportunity, and a world of blessings constantly. As the bible says, God sends the rain upon the just and the unjust, and while some do not see the literal blessing "raining down" on them it does not make it any less loving or amazing.

There is an old preacher story about a couple that went in for counseling and when the wife was asked what the trouble was she exclaimed "he never tells me he loves me anymore!" The husband replied in a no-nonsense (and unromantic way) "I told you I loved you when I married you, if I change my mind I'll let you know!"

Yet God gives us sunrises and sunsets. The beauty of this world alone, which he made for us to live in, is constantly all around us as a delightful "grand gesture." His wisdom when we consider it calms our hearts and encourages us. Rather than groping around in the dark wondering how he feels, his word tells us plainly that he would have none be lost and all be saved. His book tells us clearly what we should do and proclaims love in so many ways, declaring that God IS love.

Obviously the question isn't what has God done for us lately. What have we done, lately or ever, to show gratitude of such love?

Randy