UNFOLDING THE ROSE...

  A young, new Priest was walking with an older,  more seasoned Priest in the garden one day. Feeling a bit insecure about what God / The Creative and Sustaining Power of the Universe had for him to do, he was asking the Older Priest for some advice.
  
  The older Priest walked up to a rose bush and handed the young Priest a rosebud and told him to open it without tearing any of the petals...
  

  The young Priest looked in disbelief at the Older Priest and was trying to figure out what a rosebud could possibly have to do with his wanting to know the will of The Divine for his life and work.  Because of his great respect for the older Priest, he proceeded to try and unfold the rosebud while keeping every petal intact . . .  It wasn't long before he realized how impossible this was to do. 
 
  Noticing the young Priests inability to unfold the rosebud without tearing it the 
  Older Priest began to recite the following Poem:
  
   It is only a tiny rosebud
   A flower of God's design;
   But I cannot unfold the petals
   With these clumsy hands of mine.
  
   The secret of unfolding flowers
   Is not known to one such as I.
   GOD opens this flower so sweetly,
   Then, in my hands, they die.
  
   If I cannot unfold a rosebud,
   The flower of God's design,
   Then how can I have the wisdom
   To unfold this life of mine?
  
   So, I'll trust in Him for leading
   Each moment of my day.
   I will look to Him for His guidance
   Each step of the Pilgrim's way.
  
   The Pathway that lies before me
   Only The God of Heaven knows.
   I'll trust Her to unfold the moments,
   Just as She unfolds the rose.

This has been a special poem of mine for a rather long time, but its fragrance has become sweeter in my life these past few months.  UNFOLDING...

FRAGRANCE... That part of life which lingers...

AND... "The Best  Advice for Difficult Times "... KEEP GOING !

Shen Sung

P'eng Tzu