I have recently been going through quite a harrowing time with my care giving duties with a suffering, and therefore difficult 95 year old man, my father. One development after the other has been taking place and as I write this, the end of the tunnel is nowhere in sight.
It is in that frame of mind that I received this email from a well wisher. It has come at the right time and has acted as a balm and given me a fresh dose of energy and enthusiasm to continue with my care giving activities.
Instead of complaining that the rosebush is full of
thorns, be happy that the thorn bush has roses.
~ German Proverb
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 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 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.”
The rose will unfold as sure as the grass grows. My thoughts are with you.
Grannymar recently posted..Openings ~ 33 Botanic Gardens, Dublin
Rummuser Reply:
April 22nd, 2012 at 18:58
Yes, I know it will. But in the meanwhile, some letting off of steam helps.
Inspired by your ‘Rosebud’ I watched “Citizen Kane” (Orson Welles) last night. The film is an acquired taste, will only appeal to few, despite the fact that apparently it was voted (by whom?) the most important, or at least influential, film of all times. Maybe. I am not a filmmaker.
This is possibly a little too close up and personal, just a thought:
Who knows what any of us will be like when we are with one foot in the grave? I most certainly will fight it (to the death). Nothing dignified there. However, and I maybe right out of my depth here and, if so, please do forgive me: Surely, your father must know that he is on the way out. Where you appear calm and centered your father seems very anxious which obviously imparts itself on you. I don’t think it fair (on you). On the other hand it shows that not all of us are able to reach, in old age, that much desired “Zen” like feeling.
If I have spoken out of turn, I hope you will attribute it to my “youthful” ignorance.
Wishing you well, may patience with your father be your loyal companion,
Ursula
PS To cheer you up: Have you ever noticed that ‘patience’ and ‘patients’ sound exactly the same?
Ursula recently posted..Quoting myself
Rummuser Reply:
April 22nd, 2012 at 19:07
I can watch Citizen Kane any number of times and every time I see it, I find something new in it to learn from.
No, you have not spoken out of turn. You are very inspiring.
Thank you, and yes, but I have a patient on my hands that has zero patience. I compensate for it with an over abundance of it.
I love that quote, never heard it before! Wishing you and your father all the best, stay strong.
“Prayer is not asking for what you think you want, but asking to be changed in ways you can’t imagine.”
― Kathleen Norris
“If grace is so wonderful, why do we have such difficulty recognizing and accepting it? Maybe it’s because grace is not gentle or made-to-order. It often comes disguised as loss, or failure, or unwelcome change.”
― Kathleen Norris
Cheerful Monk recently posted..The Inner Game
Rummuser Reply:
April 29th, 2012 at 20:50
Thank you for those inspiring quotes CM.
Lovely roses for a wonderful quote I love it. Thanks for the share.
Mia@Miami recently posted..4 Beds, 2 Baths, Miami FL