Roses Have Thorns

                   Roses Have Thorns

I’ve often wondered about how something so beautiful can cause you pain. If you look at the rose you will see the beauty that it gives and then when you move further down on the stem you will see thorns. You have to handle them very carefully to prevent being pricked by the thorns.

Roses presents in various colors, red, yellow, white, pink and orange. Ironically some of these are the colors of the rainbow. They can be sprayed to represent other colors as well. I love the blue and purple ones too. The best time to plant roses is in November. They go through blossoming stages. Roses usually begin their first bloom cycle after the last winter frost. The bloom cycle of most modern roses are approximately 6-8 weeks. They look their best when they are in full bloom. I love it when there are a combination of pink, blue, white, purple and yellow roses in a vase. They offer a very elegant center piece and emit a pleasant fresh fragrance as well.

I have personally experienced the sweet aroma of a floral fragrance during praise and worship service. It’s a sweet fragrance that enters the room and you immediately know that it’s the presence of the Lord, especially when there are no flowers nearby in the room. We welcome the presence of the Lord especially when He comes into the room through a sweet smelling savor. It is so welcoming and exciting to experience this firsthand and so pleasant I would welcome it any day, all day.

I have always been curious about the Rose of Sharon that is mentioned in the Bible. Rose of Sharon is a rose that have a long blooming season. Their blooms have a trumpet shape and their colors ranges from lavender, blue, white and pink.

Thorns usually protect the leaves and flowers from being eaten by animals. They are attracted to roses because of their fragrance and apparently they are tasty too. When they get poked by the thorns it is a turn off for them and then they move on to something else to eat. For some species of roses, thorns can act as hooks, allowing the plant to climb and attach itself to other structures or plants. This climbing ability helps roses reach sunlight in dense environments. In certain environments, thorns may help reduce water loss by creating a microhabitat around the plant that reduces the effects of wind and sun exposure.

Additionally, you may be experiencing some heaviness in your life and don’t know how you’re going to get past it, but look at this way. The smell of roses is always a plus when you’re going through something. “He gives beauty for ashes and the oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.”  Isaiah 61:3.

Yes, roses has thorns, but the beauty of the roses outweighs the ugliness and pain that thorns can create. We’ve learned how the thorns are a protective barrier to keep away the prey. Oddly enough, there are some roses that are grown that are thornless. They are popular in gardens and floral arrangements, offering the beauty of the rose without the prickly defenses.

One saying that makes us think more about roses and thorns and its significance:

“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses”

In conclusion, while roses are admired for their beauty, their thorns play a vital role in their survival and have contributed to the plant’s symbolic richness. Whether thorned or thornless, roses continue to captivate and inspire, reminding us the complexities and dualities of nature.

Happy Mother’s Day