This week: Attempting to grow roses, we too will fade, being faithful with today while living for eternity

I wrote way more then I had planned to this week; record breaking for me. I am going to try to keep it short and sweet this week... if thats possible.

I have been wanting to have a rose bush for a while now, but they are really hard to grow in Florida or anywhere for that matter. I have always dreamed of having a rambling bush of roses growing up the side of my house perfuming the air with their fragrance. I can dream, can't I?

I did some research and bought one that has been grafted to thrive in our harsh climate. I settled for a little bush. I am praying and hoping it will survive and that I won't kill it somehow. I found a good spot that gets early morning sun and I dug a huge hole and filled it in with nutrient rich compost and soil. The soil in our backyard is pretty much sand. In a couple of months I will start to fertilize it and prune it.

Taking care of this rose bush made me think of how God takes care of us. We are so fragile. Like this rose bush we need a lot of tender care. I am so thankful that God knows what we are and what we need to grow and flourish. He knows where we need to planted, what kind of nourishment we need to feed our souls, he knows when to prune us so that we can flower and bear fruit. He is our perfect gardener, our perfect father; tending to our every need.

I am also reminded that like the flower; we too will fade. Our earthly bodies will be no more some day. I am challenged to search my heart and ask God to help me to be faithful with what he has given me to do today but to live for that which will endure forever. To tend to my children's needs; nourishing them with not only earthly food but spiritual food. To bless my husband and meet his needs. To take care of my home and not neglect it. To bear good fruit right where I am in the season I am in. It's not always easy. Like the rose, I fear at times that I am going to mess my kids up because I seriously do not know what I am doing at times; no matter how much I have researched.

It is so easy to get caught up in the here and now and put our hope in the things of this world that we can see and touch, but this world; the things and people in it are all fading and will be no more someday. But God's love for us will never fade and I am looking forward to the day when my faith will be made sight and nothing will ever perish or fade anymore. I am living for that day by learning to be faithful with today and find grace for when I am anything but faithful.

"As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame;he remembers that we are like dust. As for man, his days are like the grass; he flourishes like the flower of the field; for the wind passes over it and it is gone, and it's place knows it no more. But the steadfast love is of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him." Psalm 103:13-17

Have you ever tried growing roses? Have you had any success?

What is God teaching you to be faithful with today?

Is it hard for you to live in the light of eternity at times when the here and now is all consuming?

Linking up with these great link ups: The homeschool mother's journal, Mama Moments Monday, Strangers and Pilgrims on earth, Mom2Mom, Tuesday Talk, A Little R and R, Thriving Thursday, Grace and Truth , Faithful at Home Fridays