The Rose Stands Alone

It was a very good day.

I went to minister to a group of lovely teen girls early this morning, as they ended a lock-in.

As I drove home and pondered what the rest of my day would entail, I decided I would unload the dozen bags of mulch smelling up my truck and plant the half dozen rose bushes riding shotgun in my passenger seats.

Last year, I spent a mini-fortune before a drought and a few other things interfered with my gardening plans.

After all the interferences, there was one sole survivor that had reappeared this year - a Knockout Rose bush. (I decided to buy a few more of them).

As I worked to fit the potted plants into the vacant spaces where the previous selections had perished, I began to reflect on how much I had in common with the surviving bush.

This plant had survived a season of drought.

When the rain did not fall and residents were admonished not to water lawns and plants, I obeyed.

The plant had weathered neglect.

When the powers-that-be suggested using bath water and other used resources, I declined.

Miraculously, when the Spring season came around again, and the weather warmed up, there was one plant still alive. The plant had not only lived, but it was producing.

Beautiful red buds opened and made their appearances to beautify my yard.

Like this plant, I have been through periods of drought where my spirit man was not hydrated, where my emotional man was not stoked, where my natural man was void of things that appeared to be plenteous to everyone else; nevertheless, I survived.

Like this plant, I have experienced neglect - a lifetime of it - and, often, felt lonely, sad, unloved and unwanted. I have been treated as if I do not exist by those I have been most loyal to; yet, I did not wither up and die. Just as the Rose - I stand alone.

Concerning the bush - the sun and the rain and the elements were not seen supporting it, but they were a constant help. They worked, unseen.

Concerning me - I, too, have unseen help.

I have a Savior who watches over me, day, night and all points in-between. He loves me more than anyone else ever could, ever would or has ever tried.

He kept me when others abandoned me. He selected me when they rejected me. He picked me up when some dropped me. He abode with me, when others deserted me.

God is Faithful.

Don't worry if you are always alone ... know that you have a hidden weapon. Like that child with the creative mind - you have an invisible friend; the difference is - yours is not imaginary. He's real.

Stand firm, because the One whom you have sought out in secret, has promised He will reward you openly. His blessings come as living a good life, having good health and receiving unspoken needs.

The rose stands alone, but you can never be completely alone if you choose to stand with God, because He who is faithful will never leave you or forsake you.

Though you stand, solo - stand in Hope, stand in Confidence, Stand in Faith. Stand on His promises. Stand with God.

The Rose may stand alone, but you can choose to stand with GOD so you are never alone.