Old Roses, New Life

I recently moved into a new house with a big yard. Unfortunately, the yard had been neglected for quite some time. A row of old rose bushes line the driveway on one side. This time of year they should be blooming their little heads off. Sadly, all they can manage are some stunted leafy branches. Old buds with dried up stems need to be clipped.

As I put a soaker hose next to them to give them some much needed watering, it occured to me that there are people like these old roses. Once upon a time, they were vibrant and blooming. You can see by the height of the bushes that they've been around for some time. They were probably beautiful and well tended once.

Then something happened. Things changed. The diligent tending fell away. The bushes no longer put out buds. Nothing bloomed for ever so long. Some may look at them and advise cutting them down. Maybe the old bushes even feel past their ability to ever bud again, as if those days are over and never to be revisited. It's sad.

But that's not what I have planned for my roses. I intend to water and prune and feed. If pests bother them, I'll keep them away. When the blooms come, and I wonder what they'll look like, I'll gather them in and enjoy them fully.

It's not too late. God promises to restore what the enemy and years have stolen. He is our Master Gardener. He knows how to revive and redeem and bring us into the beauty that He intends for us. Do you feel past redemption? It's a lie. Bloom again. You are a fragrant flower in the Lord's garden and He loves you. Have you never bloomed? Put yourself in His hands and let Him bring out your destiny - the hopes and dreams that He has for your life. Put your roots down deep and grow your faith. It won't take long to start seeing a difference. Enjoy.