The Rose (Day 4 from Cleansing Thoughts)

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                    What a truly delightful day I had shared with the Lord and the memories of all my loved ones who are now with Him. I felt such peace knowing one day I would be with them again, but for now, I had my roses. As I stood there amazed at all the Lord had shared with me, one last rose took my eye. It was the John F. Kennedy. The bush was in full bloom, from the tiniest bud to fully opened roes. A verse from the book of Revelation came flowing from my lips, "Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his wife has made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed  in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of the saints." (Revelation 19:7-8, KJV). How fitting this scripture should come to mind. You see, the Kennedy is a pure white rose, and I had seen my loved ones dressed in fine linen made from the rose petals of my garden.
   
   I have heard many say that God does not speak today as He did to the prophets of old, but my friend, I would say to you, He does to all of those who will listen. It is in the simple things in our everyday life that He reveals Himself to us. In my rose garden, He spoke of the symbol of life in such a profound way that I will always cherish the memories of that day. I know that God is the giver of life and that death has lost its sting because He gave His only begotten Son that we might have eternal life with Him. Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die" (John 5:24, KJV). I spent the day with my loved ones and seen the beauty of each of their lives, and my spirit was alive with the wonder of it all.

   All of us have lost loved ones and experienced feelings of abandonment and grief at the time of their passing. Many times, we wonder how we can go on with our lives without them. In the book of John, Jesus and the disciples touched on this very topic when He told them that He would be leaving and that they would not be able to follow him. But our loving Heavenly Father did not leave them without hope for Jesus said, "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also" (John 14:1-3, KJV).

   I cannot answer the question as to why God allows some to conceive a child that will never be born or why others carry a baby to term yet never hold them in their arms. I can't tell you why some die so young and yet others live a full life. I have no profound insight into the mind of God. But I can tell you that if you put your trust and faith in the Lord, you will see them again! Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6, KJV). And He has gone to prepare a place for you that where He is, and all your loved ones who have gone before you, you may be also.




               It is such a comfort to me knowing that when it is time for me to pass from this life into eternity,  that I will meet my father and little girl, that I will be able to share that joy with my grandfather. It brings such a warm feeling to my heart knowing that one day I will once again walk with my mother-in-law among the roses. So if you are reading this and you have lost a loved one, rejoice with me for you will see them again. Until then, look to the rose for it is a symbol of life.

               "Dear Lord, touch the heart of this child of God with the assurance that they too will see their loved ones again. Hold them close to You that their sorrow may only last for a night, and allow joy to fill their heart as morning rises on a new day. Whisper in their ear of Your love and assure them that You are the resurrection and the life and all who believe in you shall not perish but have everlasting life. In the precious name of Your Son, who gave His life for you, I pray,"


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