“And in every work that he began
in the service of the house of God…he did it
with all his heart, and prospered.”
A new minister was walking with an older, more seasoned minister in the garden one day.
Feeling a bit insecure about what God had for him to do, he was asking the older preacher for some advice.
The older preacher walked up to a rosebush and handed the young preacher a rosebud and told him to open it without tearing off any of the petals.
The young preacher looked in disbelief at the older preacher and was trying to figure out what a rosebud could possibly have to do with his wanting to know the will of God for his life and ministry.
But, because of his great respect for the older preacher, he proceeded to try to unfold the rose, while keeping every petal intact. It wasn’t long before he realized how impossible this was to do.
Noticing the younger preacher’s inability to unfold the rosebud, without tearing it, the older preacher began to recite the following poem…
It is only a tiny rosebud
A flower of God’s design;
But I cannot unfold the petals
With these clumsy hands of mine.
The secret of unfolding flowers
Is not known to such as I.
God opens this flower so easily,
But in my hands they die.
If I cannot unfold a rosebud,
This flower of God’s design,
Then how can I have the wisdom
To unfold this life of mine?
So, I’ll trust in God for leading
Each moment of my day.
I will look to God for guidance
In each step along the way.
The path that lies before me,
Only my Lord and Savior knows.
I’ll trust God to unfold the moments,
Just as He unfolds the rose.”
~ author unknown ~
“The process of being made broken bread and poured out wine means that you have to be nourishment for other souls until they learn to feed on God. … Be careful that you get your supply, or before long you will be utterly exhausted. … Be exhausted for God, but remember your supply comes from Him. “All my fresh springs shall be in Thee.”
“But none of these things move me,
nor do I count my life dear to myself,
so that I may finish my race with joy,
and the ministry
which I received from the
Lord Jesus, to
testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”
~ Acts 20:24 ~
Prayer Keeping ~ Stephanie ~ Mildred ~ Donna ~ Gretchen ~ Jim ~ Gladys ~ Tara ~ Stephanie ~ Andie, whose Dad passed away yesterday ~ Sandra ~
I sent the poem about the rose to my Daughter, Thanks Have a beautiful Sunday Sandy. Love
yvonne
Wonderful, just wonderful! Thank you, wise Thistle!
Hope your father is okay….
Countless are the times I've tried to do the unfolding for myself and for my children. And all the time God's unfolding was waiting, and surprise, surprise, different from mine and infinitely better.
Thank you!
Beautiful Rose Unfolding piece . . .
Thank you Sandra . . .
This reminds me of the two hope to which you are called verses that struck me in church yesterday. God keep reminding me of that this week!
Another beautiful Sabbath Post. I must remember this wonderful analogy.
Hi Sandra.
I so appreciate the thoughtfulness that goes into your Sabbath Keeping posts.
Thank you.
I loved the poem. So "right on"!
Just want you to know I am thinking of you and your Dad.
God bless you this day, Sandra. I appreciate your prayers and you are close in my heart and prayers, as well.
Oh Sandra the rose story hit home. My condolences to Andie. Thanks Sandra for your caring ways. Hug B
Dear Sandra ~ Thank you for that lovely poem. Another good thing for the start of this new day.
Hope you are doing well and that your week is a good one.
Love & hugs ~ FlowerLady
beautiful poem…..beautiful.
blessings to you,
d
The rose analogy was a good one for me today…thank you. Happy Mother's Day!