The Parable of the Rose

A certain man planted a rose and watered it faithfully. Before it
blossomed, he examined it. He saw a bud that would soon blossom.
He also saw the thorns, and he thought, “How can any beautiful
flower come from a plant, burdened with so many sharp thorns?”
Saddened by this thought, he neglected to water the rose, and
before it was ready to bloom, it died.

So it is with many people. Within every soul, there is a rose.
The “God-like” qualities planted in us at birth, growing amidst
the thorns of our faults. Many of us look at ourselves and see
only the thorns, the defects. We despair, thinking nothing good
can possibly come from us. We neglect to water the good within
us, and eventually it dies. We never realize our potential.

Some don’t see the rose within themselves. It takes someone else
to show it to them. One of the greatest gifts a person can
possess is to be able to reach past the thorns and find the rose
within others. This is the truest, most innocent, and gracious
characteristic of love – to know another person, including their
faults, recognize the nobility in their soul, and yet still help
another to realize they can overcome their faults. If we show
them the rose, they will conquer the thorns. Only then will they
blossom, and most likely, blooming thirty, sixty, a hundred-fold,
as it is given to them.

Our duty in this world is to help others, by showing them their
roses and not their thorns. It is then that we achieve the love
we should feel for each other. Only then can we bloom in our own
garden.

Author Unknown

If we might have a second chance
To live the day’s once more,
And rectify mistakes we’ve made
To even up the score.
If we might have a second chance
to use the knowledge gained,
Perhaps we might become at last
As fine as God ordained.
But though we can’t retrace our steps,
However stands the score,
Tomorrow brings another chance
For us to try once more.

Meanings

Standing for what you believe in,
Regardless of the odds against you,
and the pressure that tears at your resistance,
… means courage.

Keeping a smile on your face,
When inside you feel like dying,
For the sake of supporting others,
… means strength.

Stopping at nothing,
And doing what’s in your heart,
You know is right,
… means determination.

Doing more than is expected,
To make another’s life a little more bearable,
Without uttering a single complaint,
… means compassion.

Helping a friend in need,
No matter the time or effort,
To the best of your ability,
… means loyalty.

Giving more than you have,
And expecting nothing,
But nothing in return,
… means selflessness.

Holding your head high,
And being the best you know you can be
When life seems to fall apart at your feet,
Facing each difficulty with the confidence
That time will bring you better tomorrows,
And never giving up,
… means confidence.

Goddess Prayer For You…

This morning when I wakened
And saw the Sun above
I softly said…Good Morning Goddess
Bless everyone I love…

Right away I thought of you
And said a lovely prayer
That She would bless you specially
And keep you free from care…

I thought of all the happiness
A day could hold in store
I wished it all for you because
No one deserves it more…

I felt so warm and good inside
My heart was all aglow
I know the Goddess heard my prayer for you
She hears them all….you know….

LIFE’S WEAVING

My life is but a weaving

between my God and me;

I may not choose the colors,

He knows what they should be;

For He can view the pattern

Upon the upper side,

While I can see it only

On this, the under side.

Sometimes He weaveth sorrow,

Which seemeth strange to me;

But I will trust His judgment;

And work on faithfully;

‘Tis he who fills the shuttle,

He knows just what is best;

So I shall weave in earnest

And leave with Him the rest.

At last, when life is ended,

With Him I shall abide,

Then I may view the pattern

Upon the upper side;

Then I shall know the reason

Why pain with joy entwined,

Was woven in the fabric

Of life that God designed.

(Author: Unknown)

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Make Your Day Bright
By Thinking Right

Don’t start your day by supposing
that trouble is just ahead,
It’s better to stop supposing
and start with a prayer instead,
And make it a prayer of thanksgiving
for the wonderful things God has wrought,
Like the beautiful sunrise and sunset–
God’s gifts that are free and not bought…
For supposing the worst things will happen
only helps to make them come true
And you darken the bright, happy moments
that the dear Lord has given to you…
So if you desire to be happy
and get rid of the misery of dread,
Just give up supposing the worst things
and look for the best things instead.
–Helen Steiner Rice

A Prayer is Something We Give

A prayer is something we give to God
When we want to say Hi.
It’s also how we ask for things
When we wish, hope, or cry.

A prayer is something we give ourselves
To ease our troubled mind.
It helps to know we have the ear
Of someone very kind.

A prayer is something we give to friends,
Family, and strangers too.
Prayer is always the answer to
“Is there anything I can do?”

So take the time to pray today
It doesn’t matter from whom.
Peace of mind is moments away.
So get to praying soon!

Author Unknown

Chamber of Prayer

Lord God take me there
Where You and I can share
Our innermost thoughts in prayer
With all my problems bare

For as I seek Your face
You lift me with Your grace
You surround me with Your light
And give me renewed sight

Lord God take me there
Where You and I can share
Your Kingdom yet to come
And the love we have for Your Son

The peace and calm You give
Almost seems unreal
Then I remember the place
You’ve brought me with Your grace

It is when You take me there
To that secret Chamber of Prayer
And expecting a miracle there
You show how much You care

Lord God gently lead me there
To that secret Chamber of Prayer
Shower me with Your fountain
Miracles in answered prayer

– Author Unknown

BE THANKFUL

Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire. If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don’t know something, for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times. During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations, because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge, because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes. They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you’re tired and weary, because it means you’ve made a difference.

It’s easy to be thankful for the good things.

A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks.

Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.

Find a way to be thankful for your troubles, and they can become your blessings.

–Author Unknown