THE ROSE
A New Week Begins 3-29-26
“Some say love, it is a river, that drowns the tender reed. Some say love, it is a razor, that leaves your soul to bleed. Some say love, it is a hunger, an endless aching need. I say love, it is a flower, and you, its only seed.”
When Ruth and I got married 40 years ago this November it was in the back yard of a friend in Las Vegas, Nevada. The song that we had sung during the service is one that some of you may remember…
“The Rose” by Bette Middler
I’ve always loved how this song captures both the pain and the beauty connected to roses and thought of it this weekend because the rose bush, pictured above, which now sits on our front patio, really began opening up.
Because it sits right outside the window of our study I see it daily. Realizing how long its been since I’ve heard the song it inspired, I played it for myself again this weekend. Here’s the second verse…
“It’s the heart, afraid of breaking, that never learns to dance. It’s the dream, afraid of waking, that never takes the chance. It’s the one who won’t be taken, who cannot seem to give. And the soul, afraid of dying, that never learns to live.”
As it turns out, I not only have a history with this song, I also have a history with this particular rose bush.
Seven years ago…
We placed about 8 rose bushes in front of the altar at our church for that year’s Lenten season. After Lent ended most of them were planted outside in front of the stained glass window, don’t tell anyone, but I snuck one of them home.
I don’t know what happened to the gecko who snuck a ride into the sanctuary on it, but as you can see above, the rose bush itself is still alive and well.
Meanwhile, during these past 7 years a whole lot of other things have happened in our world & in our country and I’m guessing that’s also true for you and your family.
This I do know, Holy Week begins today, which also means that means Easter is now just a week away… The day we celebrate hope, our Lord’s resurrection and also the day when it will be the Lilies who get their turn to shine.
But for today, it’s the rose (both the bush and the song) that’s reminding me of what I needed to hear this weekend. And who knows, maybe some of you as well can relate to this final verse…
“When the night has been too lonely, and the road has been too long. And you think that love is only for the lucky and the strong. Just remember in the winter, far beneath the bitter snows, lies the seed that with the sun’s love, in the spring becomes the rose.”
Not everything in our lives is in bloom right now. Some things still feel buried. Some things still feel like winter. And because not all healing can be seen… yet.
Here’s my small wish for you…
As this new week begins, may you trust the quiet work happening beneath the surface. May you not give up on something just because it hasn’t blossomed yet.
And may a small, unexpected bit of beauty… A flower outside your window, a song you haven’t heard in years, or even a memory that still makes you smile, remind you that winter never gets the final word.
What a wonderful message. The worst thing isn’t the last thing. Love how God works in the winters of our lives, stills our hearts and fulfills our needs as they spring about.