A Mother’s Day Gift From My Church

This rose was given to me on Mother’s Day, May 11, 2025. It is now 17 days later and it has not lost a single petal. Its original leaves fell off fairly quickly but, no matter, as you can see it started growing new ones! With all this new growth, you would think it would be sprouting roots but not a single root has come forth from the cut stem. There are a few petals on the bottom that darkened and dried within; which I finally figured out it was because of my coffee cup that I had set just below it. I didn’t think about the steam rising. I have conferred with the other moms of my church, that received roses from the same batch, and every one has noted that God is doing something with this rose, and stated that their roses, though beautiful, did not last like this one.

This has reminded me of another rose, a long time ago . . .

Many years ago when my kids were small I was given a white rose from my church on Resurrection Sunday. What happened with this rose may sound far-fetched to you, but I stand before God and tell you it is the truth. He has done many, many things in my life that seem astounding, but He doesn’t know impossible, and often brings wonders to remind us of that fact.

The rose was pure white and absolutely beautiful. So beautiful that I was sad to see it droop over, as it began its decline. A cut rose doesn’t live forever and I expect this is what makes them a precious gift to the receiver. Now for the amazing part. . . remember I said it was given on Resurrection Sunday, well, three days after it drooped its head over, it lifted back up. Seriously it did, and you can choose to believe me or not, that won’t change the fact, it happened. So, this rose dried standing in water. It dried perfectly and didn’t brown. When I saw that it was dried, I took it out of the vase of water and hung it upside down in my kitchen. It stayed that way for 2 years, but everyone was so amazed by it, they kept touching it, because it looked so “real.” All the touching and probably oils from the fingers finally took its toll on it and ruined it. I’m just as guilty, the petals felt sort of like leather and it was so amazing, I just wanted to touch it– everyone did.

“And he began to teach them that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.” Mark 8:31

Have you suffered many things?

Don’t give up hope. Lift up your head and seek Him for a new beginning. He has restoration for you! See your past as a springboard to your future. What did you learn and how can you grow from it?

Some have suffered horrific things from evil and those influenced by it. May God comfort you, heal you and release you from those painful memories. May His mercy be upon you and protect you. May you find that His comfort brings you to a place of safety and hope. May He give you peace and may you be filled with joy, once again.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:10-11

“I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me.” John 14:6