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THE ROSE BUD

A young,
new preacher
was walking with an older,
more seasoned preacher
in the garden
one day
and 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 in disbelief
at the older preacher
and was 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 for his 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 to do so.
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 ROSE

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 such as I.
GOD
opens this flower so sweetly,
When in my hands they die.

If I cannot unfold a rosebud,
This flower of God's design,
Then how
can I have the wisdom
To unfold
this life of mine?

So I'll trust in Him
for leading
Each moment of my 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.