A Lone Rose

I was a slightly irritated Minister's Wife. I had just received the second text of the morning, telling me that "I won't be at church again Sunday because we will be at...Can you cover for me?" Another responsibility for me....because I'm the Preacher's Wife, they know I'll be there. This Sunday was my birthday, and I arranged our family trips and activities so I would be at church. Why couldn't they do the same? This had gone on all summer...etc. I went outside to read and pray. This morning, my request for God was "Lord, please change my attitude. I know I shouldn't begrudge them (another) weekend of relaxation. Help me see that being here every Sunday is a joy." As I sat outside with only the birds and a distant lawn mower for distraction, I noticed a lone, perfect rose bud on our family rose bush. It had been a very hot, dry summer and almost every flower had ceased blooming...under too much stress. The other buds were over-baked, but this one had been given a chance to be a blessing. Then I realized that I was missing something God had put in front of me....I was focused on the negativity rather than the opportunity. That God-created rose reminded me of the chance I would have to do something for Him. God had showed me how to improve my attitude- by seeing opportunity rather than shouldering another burden. After my prayer time was done, I grabbed my pruning shears and lopped off all the dead buds, more clearly emphasizing the beauty of the rose. As I did the pruning, I saw another sign that God was trying to teach me something; two gorgeous yellow hibiscus blooms, a flower that thrives in hot weather. Pruning the ugly buds was like pruning my negative, selfish thoughts...and I got a bonus blessing that I didn't see right away.   Lord, help us all see that an additional extra responsibility can be an opportunity to serve you

Ellen Baber is a retired teacher, and is in ministry with her husband Clyde at Overhills Community Baptist Church in the Little River Association. Their family is a blended one, and they enjoy their 6 children and 6 grandchildren. She has attended the NCBMW retreat since 2012.