Lessons From A Rose Bush

Earlier this spring while cleaning our flower beds, two of the rose bushes we planted last year appeared dead. We are always looking for good deals, so we waited. One night in August we found a new one to replace one of them - that was dear to us.

The next weekend when I went to plant the new rose, the one that was truly dead, I had to cut back some overgrowth and weeds. That's when I saw it - the second rose bush we had given up as dead. 
As I clipped the overgrowth and pulled it away, I wasn't expecting what I saw or the lesson that hit my heart. 

I have renamed that little bush our Survivor Rose and here is why: 

Last year it bloomed beautifully. In spring when clearing away the debris, vines, weeds and overgrowth from fall we saw dead sticks. No new growth, no signs of life. We didn't pay it much attention at all this growing and blooming season. 

Now, there were more vines and overgrowth to clear away before I could plant the new rose in the other space. As I snipped and worked, my mind was on the new rose and how much room I was going to need to plant it properly. 

Imagine my surprise when from under the vines a beautiful, green little rose bush appeared. It even had a rose hip with brown dried petals still on it. This little, left for dead rose flourished and survived when no one believed in it except its Creator. Even in its adverse conditions - not getting enough sunlight, not getting the ideal rain/water through all the weeds and vines competing for those things - it still flourished. It didn't give up!! It kept on doing what its Creator made it to do. That little rose bush was just waiting doing what it needed to do until the day someone came along and helped it be able to show the world just how strong it really was. That bush is a Survivor - no matter what the hardships it fought its way through and even though it needed help it came through and Survived!! 

The lesson that brought tears to my eyes?

It doesn't matter if others may give up on you. It doesn't matter what hardships you have to go through, the obstacles in your way. All that matters is that you keep focused on what God - your Creator - has made you to do and do it. You are going to have to struggle, fight and even sometimes work to hard to stay alive but in the end with a little help - no matter what form God sends that help in (friends, family, a doctor, medicine or counselor) - you will breakthrough and show the world your purpose and your strength!! 

So right now, if you feel your life is covered with darkness, weeds, vines. If you feel everyone has given up on you. Keep on blooming - keep doing what God has made you to do. And know - Help is on the way!!