Today we shall consider the "Rose" and to preface this consideration I have used some information from Wikipedia which follows:
"A rose is a perennial flower shrub or vine of the genus....Rosa.., within the family Rosaceae, that contains over 100 species. The species form a group of erect shrubs, and climbing or trailing plants, with stems that are often armed with sharp thorns.
Natives, cultivars and hybrids are all widely grown for their beauty and fragrance. The leaves are alternate and pinnately compound, with sharply toothed oval-shaped leaflets. Rose plants range in size from tiny, miniature roses, to climbers that can reach 20 meters in height. Attar of rose is the steam-extracted essential oil from rose flowers that has been used in perfumes for centuries. Rose Water, made from the rose oil, is widely used in Asian and Middle Eastern cuisine.
Rose hips are occasionally made into jam, jelly and marmalade,or are brewed for tea, primarily for their high Vitamin C content. They are also pressed and filtered to make rose hip syrup. Rose hips are also used to produce Rose hip seed oil, which is used in skin products and some makeup products."
With this in mind, how does life compare to "the rose?" As I pondered this last night I am thinking first of the 'thorns' that life can "throw" my way. These "thorns" include illness, financial hardships, loss of a loved one either by death, desertion or separation. There lingers depression, stress, weariness, lack of energy, no zest for life. The list can go on and during the long dark days of winter where there is little or no sunshine, it can be overwhelming! The "thorns" on my "roses" have become far too dominant.
Then I remember the beauty in "the rose". As the days become longer and the weather grows milder I will soon see new life coming from the soil. The birds begin to sing and life becomes enriched with growth and vitality. Soon I know that trees will bud, grass will begin to green and those precious little flowers that I toiled over last year will begin to come back up out of the formerly cold and frozen earth, bringing the hope of renewed life. The little seeds and perennial flowers will come as will the return of "the rose". Ah...there is again life.
Within a few months I will again be able to enjoy the delicate and fragrant beauty of my "roses". The dancing petals that start out as just a bud and transform into the lavish petals of roses in full bloom, each with its own unique design, color and fragrance. Along with those beautiful flowers come "the thorns". But now, as spring is lighting the way, I can endure those "thorns" as they do not seem to be so overwhelming. Also knowing that without "the thorns" I can not enjoy the intricate beauty of each branch of "the rose".
Life is much like "the rose". Grace, majesty, aroma and wonder are always waiting for me in life. But I must be strong enough to endure "the thorns" that will come my way. What I do with "my thorns" is entirely up to me. As I allow myself to cut "the rose" so that I may enjoy the fragrance and beauty of it inside my home, do I gently remove "the thorns" from the stem or do I leave them in place so that I may possibly prick myself on those "thorns"? Have I learned how to deal with those "thorns" that are on the stem of this splendid token of God's love for me?
As I carefully remove "the thorns" from the stem of the rose so that I may better enjoy its beauty and spender, I am reminded of my own "thorns" in life. There are times when I have allowed those "thorns" to dominate me and they have persistently "pricked" me and hurt my soul. But as I have grown stronger I learn that those "thorns" are there to help me learn, to grow, to thrive. I believe that in my life, without my "thorns" I would not be able to withstand some of life's challenges.
So for me I will take the "thorns" with my "roses". I will stand tall and reach for the sun, drink the nourishment of the earth and yield the beauty of the "rose" for myself and others to enjoy. I will allow my "gardener" to work the earth around my roots and prune my branches so that "the rose" will become more beautiful with age. If necessary I will step back and breathe in the beauty and challenges of time and remember that I need the "thorn" to have the "rose".
Bridal Pink Tea Rose Enjoy Your Roses at Home Darla A. Weber Connelly Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Darla_Weber_Connelly |
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