Parable of the Roses

The Lord sees not as man sees; 

for man looks on the outward appearance,

 but the Lord looks on the heart

 (1 Samuel 16:7)

A certain woman received a lovely bouquet of three red rosebuds from her husband.  She had not been well and he hoped the flowers would help her feel better, which they did.  The surprise and delight with which she received them was sustained throughout the evening.  The next day, and for many days after, her spirits were lifted each time she looked at his thoughtful gift. She placed the bouquet in a central place in her home where, passing by a number of times each day, she could stop, admire their beauty, and drink deeply of their fragrance.

During the first day, one of the buds began to open, and in the days that followed it slowly unfurled its petals, releasing more of its aroma, and revealing its inner beauty.  By the second day, one of the two remaining buds also began to open.  It, too, revealed more of itself each day, but not as wholeheartedly as the first.  A few of the inner petals stayed closed over its heart as if to protect itself from the outside world.

After another day or two had passed, it became apparent that the third and last bud was not going to open.  Instead, it remained as in the beginning, eventually fading to its death without ever having shared its inner self.

All three roses held the same promise in the beginning.  There was every reason to believe that they were equally healthy and capable.  But what a difference time made.

As individuals, we are like the roses.  So, too, are many things we pursue.  In the beginning they appear to offer promise of fulfillment, but as time goes by, they fall short of our expectations.  The truth comes too late to recoup our expenditures of time, money and energy.

No one but the gardener could have foreseen the difference in the three rosebuds, and perhaps not even he.  For it may be that the florist inadvertently pierced the heart of the two buds while inserting the wire to hold their heads erect.

People have sometimes been pierced to the heart, and some never quite overcome the damage.  Clutching their protective covering about themselves, they live out their lives in fear of being hurt again.  In the end they die, never having achieved their full potential or enjoying life to its fullest.

Choosing the blossoms – people and things – to make up the bouquet of our lives can be risky when we depend entirely on our own expertise.  Seeking wisdom and knowledge from the All-Knowledgeable Gardener will help us select what is healthy and satisfying.  He is acquainted with each rosebud, its background and its potential for life.  And He not only is willing and able to help, He implores us to seek wisdom from Him in every aspect of our life:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not on your own understanding. 

 In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths. 

 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and depart from evil

 (Proverbs 3:5-7)

                                                       Lord, give us wisdom each day, 
                                                       in all we encounter and do,
                                                       that we may be all You want us to be,
                                                       patterned after You.
                                                       Friends that we make, habits we form,
                                                       dreams that capture our hearts,
                                                        to our finite minds may all seem right
                                                        but be definitely wrong from the start.
                                                        Help us to seek You in everyday things,
                                                        whether they’re large or they’re small;
                                                        teach us to listen to what You say,
                                                        tuned to Your gentle call.