UNFOLDING THE ROSE


A young, new preacher was walking with an older, more seasoned preacher in the garden one day and feeling a bit insecure about what God had for him to do, he was inquiring of the older preacher. The older preacher walked up to a rosebush and handed the young preacher a rosebud and told him to open it without tearing off any petals.

The young preacher looked in disbelief at the older preacher and was trying to figure out what a rosebud could possibly have to do with his wanting to know the will of God for his life and for his ministry. Because of his high respect for the older preacher, he proceeded to try to unfold the rose, while keeping every petal. Noticing the younger preacher's inability to unfold the rosebud while keeping it intact, the older preacher began to recite the following poem...

UNFOLDING THE ROSE.

It is only a tiny rosebud,
A flower of God's design;
But I cannot unfold the petals
With these clumsy hands of mine.
The secret of unfolding flowers
Is not known to such as I.

GOD opens this flower so sweetly,
When in my hands they fade and die.
If I cannot unfold a rosebud,
This flower of God's design,
Then how can I think I have wisdom
To unfold this life of mine?

So I'll trust in Him for His leading
Each moment of every day.
I will look to him for His guidance
Each step of the pilgrim way.

The pathway that lies before me,
Only my Heavenly Father knows.
I'll trust Him to unfold the moments,
Just as He unfolds the rose.

Thank you.
I am the rose, and the Lord is finally opening me up!

Thanks for posting that, I have never read it before and I know a few people who could use it right now! God bless!

I'm one of those who really did need this poem right now. I need to draw closer to the Lord and let Him do His work! Thank you for posting that!

my nose is burning , I can feel tears coming. That is so true. we try to do what we can not do. only The Lord knows what is in store for us and when we try to take it into our own hands we destroy pieces of our lives, one petal at a time. Trust in the LORD with all of your heart and lean on on your own understanding

thank you for this. i've been struggling with situations in my life this week. i needed this message.