A Rose is a Rose

“As for mortals, their days are like grass; they flourish like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.”  – Psalm 103:15-16

Everybody loves flowers. Perhaps you have a specific flower you like more than others. But do you know what about the flower you love the most? And what stage of the flower’s life span pleases your senses the most? It could be just as the plant emerges from the earth. Perhaps your imagination is grabbed by the wonder of how this tiny speck of green will bring forth a blossom. Or do your senses get triggered most by the full, delicate blossom? It is nothing short of miraculous that the same force of holy energy could cause mountains to erupt from the earth could also give us flowers.

There are parts of flowers which, as a general rule, do not elicit such wonder and thanksgiving. Consider the thorn of a rose. Or the flower’s leaves chewed to bits by little insects.

I will add here that I have a soft spot in my heart for the left overs flower shops accumulate. All those branches, stems and marred blossoms. They make wonderful compost. Or they can become a part of a bird’s nest or another animal’s den. The flower has purpose at each stage of life. This is a good thing to remember when dealing with people.

Too often too many people with disabilities are cast aside or not appreciated or encouraged just because society has decided along the path they do not have enough value to be celebrated.

This month is set aside for being aware of those who are disabled. Or it could be they look disabled but really are as functional as anyone else. No matter where we are in our lives, we are important parts of God’s creation. Our task is to help each other live fully into that gift and promise.

Prayer: Help us, O God, be the means to help each other reach our full potential as we strive to reveal and share the beauty of God’s creation. Amen

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Rev. Ross W. B. Putnam was ordained forty years ago in his hometown of Lyme, New Hampshire.  He served churches in Indiana, Connecticut, Vermont, Minnesota, Massachusetts, and California.  He self-published a book of original poems and art called “An April Shower of Poems.”  He is now writing a second book of poetry — this time about Parkinson’s disease with which he has been dealing for about twelve years.

A Rose is a Rose is one of the devotionals written in honor of Disability Awareness Month 2017.