The baby is napping. My chores are finished. I should “stop and smell the roses” as they say. Well, it’s June in Georgia. Too hot to go out and smell them. So I’ll just sit-a- spell at my window and look.
This brings me no joy. My rose bushes look awful. Storms have rolled through and roughed them up. Yet the truth is they look so sad because up until spring, I had no idea how to tend them. “Roses are easy,” everyone says. But I’m no gardener. No horticulturalists in this family. No one from whom to get advice about such things. Valid excuses. Except I live in the age of Google and YouTube. I should have been able to figure out you don’t just wack these bushes down to the roots each winter. Well, I did figure it out, just too late to make a difference. Next year will be better. But for now, I sit and stare at my awful roses.
And who is this? A little bird! A Cardinal! Isn’t she lovely? I’ve noticed more of them around this year. My mother loved them. I think of her every time I see one. Look at her just resting on the roses. Wait a minute…What’s she doing? She’s eating my roses! Damn! Stupid bird! Only a handful of flowers look good and she’s eating them for lunch!
Despite my vexation, a message from on high comes through.
“Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them” Matthew 6:26 KJV
In a moment vexation turns to conviction and humility. Message received, LORD. The stupid bird is now a friend. With affection, I search for a name. Originality escapes me and I settle on “Cardinal Rose.”
Cardinal Rose showed up to grab a bite to eat. God used my lousy roses to feed His bird. His bird He used to teach. He taught me these roses are not mine but His, which makes them far from lousy. He taught me that I want full rose bushes purely for their beauty while He wills them to further his creation. My purposes for beauty are not bad. However, they are secondary to the will and purposes of my Creator.
Cardinal Rose flew away upon this revelation. I hope she never knew my quick but fierce frustration. Next year will be better. I’ve learned how to tend the roses. Furthermore, my purposes are now in line with God’s. So come on back sweet Cardinal Rose. You’re welcome anytime. Smell the roses or have a feast. The garden is at your service.
This made me smile :)
"Cardinal Rose showed up to grab a bite to eat. God used my lousy roses to feed His bird. His bird He used to teach. He taught me these roses are not mine but His, which makes them far from lousy. He taught me that I want full rose bushes purely for their beauty while He wills them to further his creation. My purposes for beauty are not bad. However, they are secondary to the will and purposes of my Creator."