Unfolding the Rose

  Midi: If I get there before you do...I'll be waiting for you...
Signed with Love  *Sheryl
Accompaniment: Sheryl McMillan

A young, new preacher was walking with an older,
more seasoned preacher in the garden one day.
Feeling a bit insecure about what God had for him to do,
he was inquiring of the older preacher.
The older preacher walked up to a rosebush
and handed the young preacher a rosebud
and told him to open it without tearing off any petals.

The young preacher looked quizzically at the older preacher trying to figure out what a rosebud could possibly have to do with his wanting to know the WILL OF GOD for his life and ministry.

Because of his high respect for the older preacher, he proceeded to TRY to unfold the rose, while keeping every petal intact... It wasn't long before he realized how impossible it was.

Noticing the younger preacher's inability to unfold the rosebud while keeping it intact, the older preacher began to recite the following poem..
UNFOLDING THE ROSEBUD

It is only a tiny rosebud,
A flower of God's design;
But I cannot unfold the petals
With these clumsy hands of mine.

The secret of unfolding flowers Is not known to you and I.
GOD opens this flower so sweetly,
When in my hands they fade and die.

If I cannot unfold a rosebud,
This flower of God's design,
Then how can I think I have wisdom
To unfold this life of mine?
So I'll trust in Him for His leading
Each moment of every day.
I will look to Him for His guidance
Each step of the pilgrim way.

The pathway that lies before me,
Only my Heavenly Father knows.
I'll trust Him to unfold the moments,
Just as He unfolds the rose.

Author Unknown

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