The drooping cream-colored rose with the magenta edges that sat on my windowsill astonished me. How could it still smell so good when it looked so bad? The petals seemed ready to drop. I suddenly identified with this fading flower. After all, I’m in a wilting process too. Aging and certainly not looking as fresh.
Inevitably, suffering accompanies getting old. Perhaps the most difficult challenge in this season has been the way chronic pain has impacted my husband and me. Over the years, aging has restricted our social life and ability to do activities together. Sometimes, depression and loneliness press hard.
However, I love how the Bible gives hope to us droopy flowers. Paul refers to our triumphal procession in Christ. When we feel weak, God provides strength to overcome. When we fade on the outside, He renews our inside. When we tire, He lifts us on eagle’s wings. And He will triumphantly carry us home when we come to the final crossing.
Meditate momentarily on the eternal, vibrant vitality of our victorious Lord: His power in life and death. His beauty in purity and righteousness. And His strength of purpose and will. We are the beneficiaries of all that He is. Because we have Him, we will remain forever young.
The good news is that one day, when the kingdom of heaven announces spring, we will all be planted anew. In the meantime, ask if you are like the rose. Do your words and actions perfume the atmosphere so you draw others to the Lord? If not, what is one change you could make?
(Photo courtesy of pixabay and Pezibear.)
Ruth Wood is a licensed professional counselor who lives with her husband in Oregon. They have two grown sons, two lovely daughters-in-law, and one very spoiled grandcat. Ruth has been published in Eternal Perspectives magazine and regularly contributes devotionals at Lifesprings International Ministry. You will find devotionals, articles, and the occasional attempt to tickle her readers' funny bones at EspressoForTheHeart.org.