Budding Roses

OCTOBER 2, 2020

By Jenny Sung, Executive Coordinator

Isaiah 43:18-19 “Do not call to mind the former things; pay no attention to the things of old. Behold, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert.”

During dinner, my best friend told me a beautiful story about a bouquet of cut roses she had received. She put them in a vase of water, and days later, to her surprise, little buds started to grow on the stems—of cut flowers! This had never happened. How can something dead possibly come alive again? How can this be? She took the budding flowers and planted them in soil. The petals remained vibrant, and she marveled at the miracle of the budding roses. 

We all have things that die in life. Maybe the death of a family member, the loss of a job, a relationship, or the death of a dream. I still mourn the death of my husband, even after three years. I remember when I gave up my dream of being a veterinarian after the realization that I could never survive years of organic and biochemistry, much less take blood from the leg of some Pointers we were told to work on (in my animal science classes). 

At these times, it’s hard to see beyond the loss, the death of the dream, the relationship, the ability, the (fill in the blank). We hold onto what we know and the limitations of our own logic and reasoning. Some of us cling to the former things and can’t see beyond.

But God is the God of miracles. He is the One who makes something new, even when it seems impossible. God can make a way in the wilderness and create streams of water in the desert. He is always at work, even when we don’t see it right away. We can place our trust in the One who takes the dead things and replaces them with His hope, His peace, His light and love. 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for being the God who makes all things new. Even when our hearts are dry and parched, You give us Your hope and peace. Lord, create streams of living water in the dead areas of our lives. Show us Your way when we wander in the wilderness. May Your kingdom come, may Your will be done. Thank You. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!

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