Chronicles

Rose


At first, when I thought about this word, I said to myself "I don't
want to bring anyone down today." But, the message is clear and is
encouraging. God has a way of showering you with His presence in times
of sorrow and need. And, we as Christians can help share His love with
those who are physically and spiritually hurt. I heard a song on the
radio and it really hit home and made me think. It's a song of grief,
heartache, fear, missed opportunities, being trapped, weariness,
loneliness, emptiness, exclusion and bitterness. But in the end it is
a song of hope and, above all, love. Here is the song I'm talking
about and many of you know it already:

The Rose

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.

It's the heart afraid of breaking
That never learns to dance
It's the dream afraid of waking
That never takes the chance.
Its the one who won't be taken
Who cannot seem to give
And the soul afraid of dying
That never learns to live.

And 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 snow
Lies the seed that with the sun's love,
In the spring,
becomes the rose.


When I heard this, I starting thinking. Then God reminded me that He
is and always will be there for me. (Matthew 28:20) That brings me to
a point to make. I am not the only one who has gone through hard times.
People all around us go through them, some going through them right
now, both Christians and, yes, non-Christians. What better time to be
there for someone, than in their time of need. Some may think that
this may be a bad time to share your love or even faith with someone.
That couldn't be further from the truth. People who are grieving, or
have gone through a traumatic experience need us to be there to pour
out God's love on them, to comfort them. Even if there is slight
rejection, you are doing
God's work. A couple of good verses I read, that spoke to me are:


1 Cor 13: 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always
hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
AND
1 Cor 13:13 There are three things that will endure--faith, hope, and
love--and the greatest of these is love.



Take care everyone and may God's blessings rain on all of you. Pray
for your class leaders as they prepare for Sunday. Pray for your
friends and any needs they have. Last, but certainly not least, pray
for those who grieve, or, who have sorrow in their life. Pray that God
will open a door for you to share with that person, God's never-ending
love and maybe you will plant a seed that He can grow. Be good and
drive safe.


I leave you all with this last, little thought. Read the last verse of
that song. Replace the word "sun" with "Son". Wow!! What a revelation
that was to me.
Plant a seed, and God's love will grow a rose, even in a desert of
sorrow and weariness.


Psalm 46:9-11 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks
the bow and shatters the spear, he burns the shields with fire. "Be
still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I
will be exalted in the earth." The LORD Almighty is with us; the God
of Jacob is our fortress. Selah


END OF LINE


JR