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I had a sweet surprise that turned out to be a little devotional thought that also applied to my writing. I thought I’d share.
Outside our side garage door is some landscaping that took a beating for a couple reasons. The greenery received extra fertilizer when our dog decided that was his bathroom area because it was the only semi-dry place he could find. I couldn’t blame him, really, it has been consistently rainy since last fall. No lie!
The second was something else. There was a rose bush that when we moved in, produced beautiful red roses. What I didn’t know was it grew so much outward that our teenage son at the time had trouble mowing because the bush jutted out so. Like his mother, he likes a fast solution without a lot of thought, so he did what he thought was best—he mowed the area down and clipped the bush down to a small stub.
It was a ghastly sight and I was certain I’d never see anything flowery come from that patch of dirt ever again.
For a few seasons, that was the case. Then one year there were green leaves. Buds. But that was as far as things went.
Until this year.
This is a rose from the bush that was all but dead a couple years ago. Photo: Julie Arduini
The roses are a rich red, They are full and lush. I forgot how beautiful it was to step out and immediately see amazing color. The fragrance isn’t quite there, but that’s okay. I’m basking in the gorgeous view and wonderful message God showed me through the rebirth of these flowers.
You’re never too far gone.
That rose bush looked beyond hope. It was beaten down and left for dead. With time and healing, it’s back.
Just like us.
I love crafting characters who need the Lord’s redemption. I’ve met too many people who feel their sin is too great to be forgiven. I want readers to relate to my characters and find hope in their story. Where all hope seems lost for the hero or heroine, there’s a surrender moment where they realize nothing they have done ends their opportunity for a relationship with Christ.
In Match Made in Heaven, Dean Kellerman struggles with the truth that “as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” Psalms 103:12, NIV. Before Match Made in Heaven begins, Dean’s already confessed his sins of giving himself to a woman who was not his wife and living with her. When the relationship disintegrates, Dean repents and starts rebuilding his shattered life. As he moves in with his grandfather and finds a new job, he continues to beat himself up for the choices he made.
Can you relate? If you identify with Dean in any way, I hope my rose bush reminds you you’re never too far gone for God’s love. Ask for forgiveness and know in Christ, He has forgiven you.
Now, go out and smell the roses!
Have you ever had a relationship or situation like my roses that seemed beyond repair?
Julie Arduini loves to encourage readers to surrender the good, the bad, and ---maybe one day---the chocolate. She’s the author of ENTRUSTED: Surrendering the Present, as well as ENTANGLED: Surrendering the Past. The last book in the series, ENGAGED: Surrendering the Future, is coming soon. She also shares her story in the infertility devotional, A WALK IN THE VALLEY. She also blogs every other Wednesday for Christians Read. She resides in Ohio with her husband, two children, and chocolate stash. Learn more by visiting her at http://juliearduini.com.
Great post, and lovely rose! I can appreciate the analogy, yes?
It is a beautiful thing to know that all our sins are forgiven. Past, present and future!! Sadly, we retain those memories and it can be a constant battle to reconcile that they are not being held against us anymore.
God’s love is bigger than our sin. Amen.
Thank you, Paula!
Amen! My prayer is that readers see Dean’s struggle and surrender their guilt. If we confessed our sin, His forgiveness is immediate and full. Thank you for reading!
Loved the post and the lovely rose. I had some small trees pushing against my house. A grandson and a nephew cut them down. In the process, they also cut down my jasmine bush, which I have had for years. Praying it will grow again. I love the smell.
I love the comments about the roses too as I know pruning them well back is good for them. It reminds me of a story mum told once about some cows that got into her garden. They ate every thing and I she was so upset but she learnt from that that Carnations also do much better from a good pruning.
Another story she tells is of a locus plague and they only plant they didn’t touch were the Larkspurs so she still had some flowers in the garden after they had stripped everything else bare
Mary, I pray the jasmine bush comes back. I truly believe nothing is too far gone!
Thank you, Ausjenny for the great reminder. Pruning truly is a good thing. Those were great stories to keep in mind.
I beat myself too sometimes for my past mistakes but our God is a great God and He washed my sins away. Praise the Lord for His love for us! Blessings!!!