When God Unfolds the Rose

When God unfolds the rose, He always gets it right.

One of those lessons that you can’t fathom until you witness it all unfold for yourself.

I didn’t have a complicated life. I am very blessed with 2 parents who have been married for 32 years this coming November. I have an older brother and a younger sister. We grew up with dogs, cats, bunnies, ponies, a cow, and the occasional possum that would come up on our porch. Crickets were loud at night, and the moon always gleamed on the pond in our backyard. Skies were always pink and orange at sunset, and supper was always good. Sometimes supper might be the fish that we caught from our pond. Blackberries were fun to pick and eat. 4-wheelers could always be heard deep in the woods. Visits with 1 of our 30-something (half on mama’s side of the family, half on daddy’s side of the family) first cousins were common. Life was good.

Then I became an older teenager. I’m driving myself to work. I’m driving myself to school. I’m trying to graduate high school and start college. I’m trying to be present with my family. I’m trying not to be so introverted and actually go out to eat with my friends after Sunday night service. I’m trying to do my best at leading worship at the church I attend. Life was good.

And yet somewhere in the midst of all of that, I lost sight of the plan God had for my life. I was confused. I was broken. It was one of those pivotal moments that I heard the phrase. I was at that stage in life where I’m in transition, and I just needed some encouragement.

The words came out in song on a Sunday night service - “When God unfolds the rose, He always gets it right. When the petals are in place, it’s such a beautiful sight. God knows when to hold on and the perfect time to let go. So let God have His way, and watch God unfold the rose.”

I remember how my heart and spirit felt in that moment. I remember standing there weeping as God’s presence wrapped His arms around me. The moment that I didn’t know I needed, but the moment that probably changed the course of my life.

The message of watching God work in your life without getting in the way of the process. Letting Him move in ways you don’t understand, but trusting He’s working it all out for your good. At the end of it all, you can look back and see how beautiful the rose of your life is. How perfect His plan was the whole time.

It’s a hard lesson. In that moment of prayer, I remember how broken I felt. The hot tears were flowing down my face, and I stood there with no regard to anyone around me. This was a God moment.

I know my life is not over, but I do reflect back on that night. I do think I can honestly say that God has begun unfolding the petals of this rose that is my life, and it is already so much more beautiful than I could have ever planned for.

Proverbs 3:5-6 says:

[5] Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. [6] In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Be encouraged today that the Lord is working all things for your good. Let Him lead and guide you in the paths you need to take. He is unfolding the rose in your life, and oh how beautiful it will be.

-HLP