Amazing, I have that very picture of the rose saved to disk here.
Amy Carmichael, when she was in India years ago, was trying to encourage a woman who had lost her husband, but the woman was crushed. The conversation fell silent as Amy didn't know what else to say, and the woman became engrossed in examining a flower in a vase on the table between them. Amy watched her, and after a while simply said, "He made that".
That was all she needed to say. The human spirit knows that nothing that exquisite could possibly be an accident. There has to be a loving, sovereign God, despite all the sin and suffering on earth, whose identity stamp was on that flower. Light entered the woman's soul, and hope was born anew. Her soul had once again found its anchor, and she had courage to move forward with her life.
God has ways of reaching each of us, even without words. We are inscribed on the palms of His hands, and nothing can snatch us away.
May all who pray here receive refreshment and encouragement, and strength and wisdom for the challenges ahead. I believe in my spirit the trials of '06 were preparation, and that the coming year is going to be one of mighty breakthroughs for many, and for the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ.
Paul
Thank you for the beautiful story you shared for the glory of our Creator God. May your new year bring blessings beyond measure.