Thought for the Day 9/26/2025 ~ Friday Tale

 Friday Tale - Unfold a Rose

   A young man was walking with an older, more seasoned man in their church in the garden one day and feeling a bit insecure about what God had for him to do, so he was inquiring for guidance from the older man.

     The older man walked up to a rosebush and handed the young man a rosebud and told him to open it without tearing off any petals. The young man looked in disbelief at the older man 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 for his ministry.

 

    Because of his high respect for the older man, he proceeded to TRY to unfold the rose, while keeping every petal intact. It wasn't long before he realized how impossible it was to do so. Noticing the younger man's inability to unfold the rosebud while keeping it intact, the older man began to recite the following poem...

 

UNFOLDING THE ROSE

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,

When 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 Him for leading

Each moment of my day.

I will look to him for His guidance

Each step of the pilgrim way.

 

The pathway that lies before me,

Only my Heavenly Father knows.

I'll trust Him to unfold the moments,

Just as He unfolds the rose.

~ Jim Gentil

Behold, God is my salvation;

I will trust, and will not be afraid;

for the LORD God is my strength and my song,

and He has become my salvation.

~ Isaiah 12:2