This is a Mother’s Day like no other in recent history, and yet, we celebrate Mother’s Day in our hearts as never before. Although we may be separated from our beloveds, we treasure all the moments we have spent together all of our lives, and we know that better days are coming.
Many years ago on Mother’s Day, my husband bought me two small rose bushes. They have grown and flourished into these magnificent bushes. Each year, they bring me so much joy.
Yesterday, my youngest son helped me to tie up some of the branches that had fallen from these bushes in a recent heavy rain storm. I reminded him to be careful. The thorns are so very sharp.
And so it is with life, amid the splendid and beautiful roses, are also the thorns that can cut so deeply. We are not promised perfection in this life. Jesus told us that paradise was in heaven, not here and now.
Still, as we cherish the days God has given us, and as we care for the blooms of love He has bestowed upon us, we also know that we can endure the thorny places. We understand that the thorns are not forever; we know the most exquisite blooms are yet to come. What peace there will be in an everlasting garden which has no thorns to cut the flesh or break the hearts of the beloveds gathered therein.
In this world we cannot live a life free from thorns; Jesus, our Lord and Savior Himself, wore a crown of thorns on our behalf. We know that paradise awaits, and that a piece of heaven exists within our souls because God abides there. It is the soul that flutters within us in ever increasing joy for God has given us the wings to enter heaven; moreover, He has given us a taste of what is to come with the love notes He offers us daily. The life He has given us here contains many more roses than thorns; we are showered with rose petals from heaven continuously.
And so, with God ever so close to us, within and without, we stand strong. The blessings of so many blooms surround us…love from mothers, fathers, children, grandchildren, grandparents, friends, and neighbors. And the greatest rose of all, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, is a rose that blooms forevermore…so pure a rose is He that our hearts ignite in love. It is that love that allows us to bloom as well; nothing can tarnish the roses our God tends to daily. In His sight, they grow ever more beautiful with each passing day; in time, they are fit for paradise, an everlasting garden of His saints in light.
Isaiah 66:13: “As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.”
I am not a good gardener so I am jealous of your lovely roses. I seem to do ok with succulents. Your analogy will stick with me for a long time.
Happy Mother’s Day! Succulents are beautiful also! My youngest son has a few and they are amazing. 🙂
So well put, Linda. Here’s hoping your Mother’s Day 2020 is the best! God’s grip – Alan
Thank you! I had a very good weekend! 🙂
Flowers are beautiful and I love the analogy!
I hope you had a nice Mother’s Day weekend! We had lots of sun…it was still a bit chilly!
Well said, Linda. And thank you for sharing your lovely roses with us.
These roses are from my photo gallery and they came from a florist more than a year ago! They were lovely! 🙂 In my yard, I only have red roses. I was not able to upload a picture of them on Mother’s Day…maybe, I can for another post. I hope you had a lovely Mother’s Day despite our current situation Liz. 🙂
Thank you for the kind wishes, Linda.
Thank you so much for these comforting words, Linda! I needed to hear this today. When the negativity I hear becomes just a bit too much, it helps to put things into perspective and to remember that this is still God’s world and that the hard times never last forever. And those are lovely roses, by the way!
The hard times do come and go! You are right Ann…this is God’s world. He created each and every one of us and this very beautiful earth. We do not have the answers to this pandemic right now, but when we look up at the sea of stars at night, we know that God has answers. And they will come, just as the stars come out in the deep dark night. This darkness too, will end.
Beautiful is not enough to describe your roses, Linda. The thorns may be painfully sharp, but yes, if we could find a way to manage them, we get to enjoy the roses too – as you have.
And that goes for life too.
I only have red roses…these roses are from my photo gallery. A friend sent them to me after a surgery. Yes, in life we must celebrate all the little things that bring us joy. We must manage the sharp edges in life with prayer, continually turning the things we do not understand over to God.
Linda, this article was like a poem, profound and beautiful. truthful and hopeful. Yes, our Lord Jesus wore the crown of thorns on this earth, so that one day those who believe in Him will never again suffer any pain. Oh What a Savior! And may we enjoy every single sweet blessing the Father has poured out on us until that day He calls us home or comes again. God bless you and your family! The roses and rose-lessons are magnificent!
Thank you Melissa! The riches we have in Christ are not of this world; we are so blessed with the love and mercy of God for His children.It is easy in these times to be troubled and to feel downtrodden. More than ever we must focus on the Good News of Jesus Christ. Only then, can we deal with the mountains and valleys that lie before us. With Him, we find hope; with Him, we discover that we are on a journey that will lead us home, and God is with us on the journey…we never, ever, walk alone. In the garden of life there is no greater bloom than the one that grows within our very souls…the love of Christ forever blossoming, forever transforming our lives in His image.