Life is a Garden Party: Of Thorns and Roses

This morning my 2nd grade teacher telephoned to say she reread some of my poetry I sent during her husband's last days, and how the selections took on new meaning at this phase of her life. Appreciate the compliments - but mostly, to God be the glory! Here's one of those selections with a photo of a rose from that rose bush:

OF THORNS AND ROSES

Every rose bears a thorn

for thorns roses adorn.

Just as in life, good times born

are adorned with many storms.

We moan, are worn, and forlorn.

Storms leave us alone and torn.

For good times we yearn.

A shelter in the storm.

There is a purpose in thorns

for patience and hope is formed.

Hope is a confidence being born.

Out of it blooms roses despite the thorns.

Every thorn wears a rose.

That’s just the way it grows.

Just as in life, every sorrow

can bear a joyful tomorrow.

So next time life sows woes

and you’re feeling quite low

remember the rose –

with thorns it does grow.

Your lows and woes

will someday sow

a lovely rose.

Beauty grows.

Half of the beauty from life’s roses

comes from thorns we’ve endured along the road

for thorns are what shape us into who we are.

In the end, we’re much better for it by far.

Instead of concentrating on the thorn,

look beyond it to the rose being born

for from thorns beauty is formed.

We are being transformed.

Being transformed through difficulties.

That’s what thorns are meant to do, you see.

Being made into a rose

where beauty is seen and glows.

It’s only norm

that every thorn

will one day grow

a lovely rose.

Growing beauty

is its duty.

Just as our trials teach us

patience and to learn to trust –

growing our inner beauty

so we will turn out lovely.

From lows and woes

a rose arose.

* * * * *

Right now, today, are you going through a storm?

Does it feel like a festering thorn?

Concentrate on the word “through”

as your storm will come to pass, too.

Though you may temporarily mourn,

in the end, beauty is being born

as patience

or kindness.

One day we'll see that Sovereign God

worked all things together for your good.

His holy purposes

were worked out through us.

When you pass through the waters,

I will be with you;

and when you pass through the rivers,

they will not sweep over you.

When you walk through the fire,

you will not be burned;

the flames will not set you ablaze...

since you are precious and honored in my sight,

and because I love you.

Isaiah 43:2,4

The fruit of the Spirit is

love, joy, peace, patience,

kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

gentleness and self-control.

Galatians 5:22

God intended it for good

to accomplish what is now being done.

Genesis 50:20

And we know that in all things

God works for the good

of those who love him,

who have been called

according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28

We were also discussing the GOOD manifested during this time in history. One of my GOODs is that 6 neighbors have contacted me to inquire if I needed anything. (We are blessed to be a blessing.) Feeling the love. Praying that you feel loved as well.

I heard on the radio this morning, when I was picking up supplies for mom, that divorce rate are expected to climb during this time in history. I was thinking bankruptcies will also skyrocket. A friend posted recently that they are learning how much less is needed to be happy. Truth!

You could say we are living in a strange new world. In reference to a new world, God has promised one - heaven. I am reminded of Romans 1:20:

Since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities -

his eternal power and divine nature -

have been clearly seen,

being understood from what has been made,

so that men are without excuse.

and

Do you show contempt for the riches of God's

kindness, tolerance and patience,

not realizing that God's kindness leads you

toward repentance?

Romans 2:4