Author Darlene J. Conard

Roses are beautiful, graceful and preferred among flowers. Its elegance makes us forget the trail of hook shaped thorns covering its stem. Even gentle touches are chances taken. So, it’s basically a double-edged sword, I thought, right.

My grandmother loved roses. She arrayed the yard with different colored ones. My fingers couldn’t resist caressing the velvet petals. Adoration from a distance wasn’t enough. Because of that my fingers became a bloody mess. Quickly I learned to look but, don’t touch!  

Years ago, I heard a song called, The Rose, written by Amanda McBroom and made popular by Bette Midler. I watched an orchestra perform on YouTube with this song. I’ve detested the song since. I’m not sure if it’s true, love is either a razor, or a beautiful thing. Now that I think about it everything has a boundary. You can’t avoid one and not the other.

Some do believe after becoming a Christian it’s a bed of roses. Here is the point that I want to make. Since they believe this walk is a bed of roses, they’re seeing it from a distance. Unless there is contact with that bed of roses the individual will realize it’s not what they thought. God does say that He’s word is a two-edged sword. (Hebrews 4:12) It rains on the just and the unjust; however, we are aren’t going to bled alone. The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob will reveal Himself. (Matthew 5:45)

Jesus is the Rose of Sharon, no thorns. He experienced that at the beginning of His trial, the crown of thorns. This is one Rose that can and should be adorned with our love.

 “ Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.  1 Peter 4:12-13 KJV

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