Thought for the Day 7/22/022

 Friday Tale - Unfold the Rose

 A young, new believer in Christ was walking with an older, more seasoned believer in the garden one day. Feeling a bit insecure about what God had for him to do, he was asking the older believer for some advice. The older believer walked up to a rose bush and handed the young believer a rosebud, and told him to open it without tearing any of the petals. The young believer looked in disbelief at the older believer 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 believer, he proceeded to try and unfold the rosebud while keeping every petal intact. It wasn't long before he realized how impossible this was to do. Noticing the young believer's inability to unfold the rosebud without tearing it, the older believer 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 sweetly,
Then, in my hands, they die.
If I cannot unfold a rosebud,
The flower of God's design,
Then how can I have the wisdom
To unfold this life of mine?
So, I'll trust in Him for leading
Each moment of my day.
I will look to Him for His guidance
Each step of the Pilgrim's way
he pathway that lies before me
Only my Heavenly Father knows.
I'll trust him to unfold the moments,
Just as He unfolds the rose.
Distance and time may separate us,
But friendship and memories won't.

~ Helen Steiner Rice

 

You who fear Him, trust in the LORD
-- He is your help and shield.
~ Psalm 115:11