He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied.
Isaiah 53:11 KJV
Throughout the centuries, there has probably been no other flower that has so captured the imagination of poets, musicians, and romantics as the lovely role. It has become a universal symbol of pure love and lasting devotion. Many have undertaken to cultivate this beautiful flower, bewitched by its loveliness, its endless kaleidoscope of color, and (for some varieties at least) its hauntingly intoxicating perfume. Some years ago I decided to try to beautify the church garden in Thessaloniki with the addition of not one, but one hundred rosebushes.
There was no money available to buy plants, so I would have to grow my own from cuttings. First, of course, I needed suitable parent stock. I started wandering through parks and peering into gardens as I searched for the most breathtaking roses in as many colors as possible. Soon dozens of tiny cuttings – leafless, little more than two inches long, and bearing no indication of their great potential – were planted in shallow soil under individual jam jars. The sun became weaker and the weather colder as we slipped into a long, dark Macedonian winter. Could my tiny, sticklike rose babies possibly survive? Spring came again, but the little cuttings showed no signs of life. That is, not until the day when, almost imperceptibly, their tiny “eyes” began to open in the form of tender green leaves. My rose plants were alive! Many weeks later, when they already had several new leaves, they started to grow roots, and I was able to transplant them gently into the flower beds. But not until many months later did tiny buds herald the final stage of a miraculous transformation – the birth of new rosebushes in all their exquisite beauty.
That year, as I “babysat” my little rosebushes, I gained a new insight into the continuous, patient, and loving care with which Jesus watches over us, His children. He leads us from ugly, unpromising, and sinful beginnings to the point where He can see the beauty of His glorious character perfectly reflected in us. When we first came to Him, we had nothing to offer except our desperate need and utter helplessness. Yet one day, by grace alone, His heart will overflow with joy as He presents to His heavenly Father yet another child of His saving love who beautifully reflects the loveliness of His character – to His glory – throughout eternity.
In His Presence Copyright ©2018 General Conference Women’s Ministries Department