This past week, spring began to show up in m y neck of the woods. There were signs of growth on dormant limbs almost everywhere I chose to look. There were even some blooms, but like Easter eggs, they were a little harder to find just yet. I smiled at life showing itself where it seemed only death reigned.
As I sat down on my back steps, the new growth on our peace rose caught my eye. That rose is the most beautiful color of yellowish white tinged in pink. It doesn’t bloom often, but when it does, it’s stunning. As I was examining the brand new tender leaves, I couldn’t miss the emerging thorns. The thorns were growing right along with the leaves.
As I sat a few minutes and reflected, I felt a gentle nudge reminding me that we often find this to be true in our own lives. When we work on serious growth, growth that emerges from a dark and trying period, whether physical, emotional or spiritual, it’s rarely without its challenges. Recovery, redemption and brand new beginnings, are rarely automatic or even linear.
We sometimes grow and make great strides and then we hit a snag. We get turned around or we find ourselves seemingly going backwards. Setbacks are part of life on this side of eternity and although they can be discouraging, maybe we should ask ourselves if the rose is any less beautiful or fragrant because it has thorns?
Thorns are part of that flower. We can learn to be careful to avoid them, but we can’t get rid of them. They are part of its makeup. Those emerging leaves and thorns reminded me that we are all called to grow as long as we are breathing. If you woke up today, if you can read this, God is not done with you. As long as we are traveling here on this side of eternity, He can use our lives and our stories to glorify Him.
An emerging rose reminded me that we will encounter thorns on our journey, but those thorns don’t make the journey any less beautiful or the end result any less breathtaking. Sometimes I need reminding. Perhaps you do too.
Have an awesome day!
Wendy 🙂