Growing Together

Last Friday I was taking

pictures of God's handiwork.

I noticed these things all in the same hedge.

They could have been all in the same bush,

but in a hedge of roses, I didn't try 

to figure it out.

A bud,

a full blown rose,

a fading flower

and rose hips, already
drying up,
were all there together.

How like us human beings, I thought.

While some are just starting, others

are coming to the end of their lives.

How like the way God works in us.

Do we despise the the bud because

it is not yet fully flowered?

Hardly!

Do we have the same tender smile 

for those who have barely begun

growing in some area God has 

been developing in us

for some time?

Well, do we?

Irritation, is more likely to be my reaction, 

unless the other Christian is very young.

Dear Holy Spirit has been gently pointing out 

to me that He has a purpose in our lives

and there is more to this journey than what 

I see.

What I think another "should" have learned

by now, is not my business.

Quite often I disappoint myself.

Grace and mercy are always there for me.

In becoming like Jesus,

I want to show grace and mercy

to others.

I want to remember that we are all growing

at different rates in different areas.

Speaking of which,

look what else was growing

in that hedge.

Still beautiful.

Still fruitful.
 
Nothing to do with a rose, at all.

While the Gardener may be growing
roses in your plot, right now
I may be producing
a lovely leaf
or 
some shiny red berries.

It's all according to His plan.

Oh, Lord, please help me
think mercifully
and show love
when I would criticize.
Thank You for Your
patience with me.