Sunday, January 8, 2012

Hope is the rosebush with blossoms in winter

January rose amongst Melianthus major
The garden is fairly forlorn this time of year. The galianthus snowdrops have not appeared yet, but the red rose still clings to the vine even though it is January.
The very miniature rose, rescued and bought about 5 years ago from Bert’s Red Apple grocery store in Madison Park area of Seattle,  a discard, out on the sidewalk in a 4” pot with a “For Sale 50 cents” sign, was too lovely to leave. I planted  it in our Island hot (south facing) border, the large pocket of soil between an extensive rock wall background and a small rock wall sitting area. I didn’t think it would make it, but put it out for the summer to at least enjoy for a while,  Each year it grows more profuse. We both love it there.

rose in hotel room brings cheer
During October when I had a mammogram and biopsy and a diagnosis of breast cancer, we came back to the island and noticed the rose blooming. Before we left the island again for both my husband’s surgery(pacemaker) and mine a week later (bilateral mastectomy), I cut the buds and put them in a silver vase and placed it in the car and brought it wherever I went, scans, biopsies, surgeries for two weeks. Here it is in the hotel room I stayed in while my husband was in the hospital  then in the car to transport it so it was with me to cheer wherever I went.

Hope is the rosebush which blooms in winter
 despite disease, dropping temps and no one noticing

"Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them -" Psalm 146:5-6 
My hope comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth  and created all things (including roses) for His purpose.
Where do you need hope? Ask the Lord to open your eyes to see what He has placed right in front of your steps.



1 comment:

Will Spahr said...

I enjoyed your lovely blog entry. Karen and I prayer for you and Neil daily.