My uncle John called his late mother-in-law “Rosebud” (her name was Rose). Entering the room with a big smile, he’d call out, “How ya doin’ Rosebud?” She would beam at the tenderness of that name and the love that came with it.
I snapped this photo of rosebuds because they made me think of the difference between how we see ourselves and how God sees us.
A rosebud is beautiful in its potential to become a big red rose someday. But it’s not there yet. When we look at ourselves, we sometimes see only our faults, our sins, our flaws. All those parts that we hope will bloom into virtue someday…..but we’re not there yet.
But God sees the rose. God is outside of time and sees us as we will be in heaven – when we have reached our full potential – in glory.
No one would pick a bouquet of rosebuds. But we like to mix them in with the flowers because anticipating the future blossoms adds to the beauty of a bouquet.
Our own “rosebuds” don’t need to discourage us. If we’re keeping close to the source of all flourishing – Jesus – in prayer, Reconciliation, and in the Mass, we can afford to see our flaws as so many buds that are poised to burst into bloom — in God’s time.
Love always,
Rose
Tom Roberts
I get to Mass twenty minutes early on weekdays and half an hour early on Sunday just to sit quietly and contemplate the goodness to come. Rosebuds.
Anthea Piscarik
Beautiful, Rose. Thank you.
Terry
That’s a great illustration for my son who is battling alcoholism. Please pray for him. I enjoy your words of encouragement, thank you.
Rose Folsom
Terry,
I sure will pray for him. I attended Al-Anon for years and it was a life-saver, so I know how devastating it can be to love an alcoholic.
God bless you and your family,
Rose
Barbara
Every rosebud I see this summer will remind me we are all God’s work in progress!
Rose Folsom
Fellow rosebuds unite! :)