When I was young, life seemed simple. I would go to school, I would have fun with my friends, and eventually I would begin to date and even look forward to the day when I would marry that wonderful man of my dreams! There would be so much to prepare before the big day; I would buy the white dress, order the flower arrangements filled with beautiful red roses, plan the reception, and organize the guest list. Much time and effort would go into making this day a beautiful one. Those dreams, along with others, would be shattered and cut into pieces when abuse entered into my life at the tender age of 7.
As I remember, when I looked at a rose, all I tended to see was its outward beauty-its deep red color like a magnet drawing my attention to it. I never looked at it as a representation of my life, until now. When a rose grows, the stem comes out first with pretty green leaves; representing my growth as a child. Then come the thorns surrounding the rose, stopping us from picking it and enjoying its beauty in our home. Excited to see my life taking shape, I saw a beauty in myself and a hope for a wonderful life. Then came the “thorns,” to steal and destroy all that is good in me, the thorns of my abuse. As I pushed forward through the adversity; through the thorns, something wonderful and beautiful happened: “the rose.” The rose takes time to push through, open up, shape and form, but in the end it blossoms fragrance, beauty, and delicate strength for all to see. This rose is me and this rose is you.
Come with me as I walk through the journey of my life that continues its process to shape me into a beautiful, stunning rose. My prayer is that you’ll be able to take the lessons that I learned and apply them to your life, finding peace and encouragement. May this same rose that has grown and shaped in me, take form, grow and shape in you!
As I remember, when I looked at a rose, all I tended to see was its outward beauty-its deep red color like a magnet drawing my attention to it. I never looked at it as a representation of my life, until now. When a rose grows, the stem comes out first with pretty green leaves; representing my growth as a child. Then come the thorns surrounding the rose, stopping us from picking it and enjoying its beauty in our home. Excited to see my life taking shape, I saw a beauty in myself and a hope for a wonderful life. Then came the “thorns,” to steal and destroy all that is good in me, the thorns of my abuse. As I pushed forward through the adversity; through the thorns, something wonderful and beautiful happened: “the rose.” The rose takes time to push through, open up, shape and form, but in the end it blossoms fragrance, beauty, and delicate strength for all to see. This rose is me and this rose is you.
Come with me as I walk through the journey of my life that continues its process to shape me into a beautiful, stunning rose. My prayer is that you’ll be able to take the lessons that I learned and apply them to your life, finding peace and encouragement. May this same rose that has grown and shaped in me, take form, grow and shape in you!