The Rose

I see the petals of the rose so soft to the touch of my hands. The color is vibrant and yet, so delicate. How You, oh Lord, have made such beauty in a flower. The budding is new life coming forth from a seed that has beeen planted. What bearuty comes from something that was not and now is. As the rose opens up and the fragrance is allowed to escape, it fills the surrounding area with a sweet-smelling aroma. Will we allow ourselves to blossom or just remain a bud? Let's let God remove the thorns and in the pain of being vulnerable, apply the balm of Gilead.