The Rosebud

On Easter Sunday morning this year the person who had excitedly agreed to get the daffodils for our resurrection cross came to me almost in tears with a bundle of daffodils that were closed tight as tight could be.  She explained she had ordered them ahead and when she went to pick them up this is what she got.  We agreed any flowers would do and so she ran back to the store.  I admit I had a moment of silent judgment when she arrived back with a huge bag of silk flowers.  But the reality was once they went on the cross they were beautiful and it really didn't matter at all.  

Later that Easter afternoon I received the following email.  It was a gift to our worship committee and to me. I hope it is also a gift to you.

God's Rosebud

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 or 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 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.  However, 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;Yet I cannot unfold the petalsWith these clumsy hands of mine.""The secret of unfolding flowersIs not known to such as I.GOD opens this flower so easily,And in my hands they die.""If I cannot unfold a rosebud,This flower of God's design,Then how can I have the wisdomTo unfold this life of mine?""So I'll trust in God for leadingEach moment of my day.I will look to God for guidanceIn each step along the way."
"The path that lies before me,Only my Lord and Saviour knows.I'll trust God to unfold the moments,Just as He unfolds the rose.