Whence Came The Rose Petal?

Song of Solomon 2:1 – I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys. (KJV)

In the two years since my back first grounded me and something gripped my sciatic nerve, I've learned a lot. First and foremost, I've learned what it's like to move among the "walking wounded" — those people who have "invisible" injuries or disabilities and chronic pain that threaten to crush one's spirit.

I've learned how appreciating even the smallest of things He gives us keeps our spirits from being crushed.

I've learned the meaning of reaping what one sows, for I used to be among those who sometimes quietly questioned when others excused themselves from doing something because they "had a bad back". Invincible as I thought I was, I would carry the heaviest load, move furniture, flip my mattress myself, haul the biggest bag of wood chips or take out both garbage pails at once. Bad back? Not me!

I've learned that people care, and are anxious to share whatever they think might help, and I've gone the gamut of most of them. I've learned what it's like to wait for months and months for procedures that don't seem like they will ever be able to be done. I've learned what it's like to find relief for even a few minutes and be mighty thankful for it.

I've learned that, when I'm walking, and a spasm slips across my back, down my leg and grabs my foot in a vice-like grip, He can divert my attention with something as soft as a single rose petal as it delicately drifts in front of my face.

Prayer: Forgive us, Lord, for those times in our lives when we choose not to believe that something is so. Help us to learn from the lessons You lay before us, whatever they may be. Help us to be thankful for small mercies and soft summer rose petals, that we may see the delicate beauty You create — and the impeccable timing in which You always seem to send Your message of hope to us. In Your name we pray. Amen.

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