Unfolding The Rose

Our pastor use to say that our growth in Christ was like the layers of an onion being peeled back, one layer at a time.  The "onion" thing never appealed to me much...too smelly.  Then I found this poem by an unknown author in a pastor's newpaper column and adopted the rose as my personal analogy.  Enjoy!

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 such as I.

God opens this flower so sweetly when in my hands they die.

If I cannot unfold a rosebud, this 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 the day.

I will look to Him for guidance each step of my pilgrim way.

The pathway that lies before me only my Heavenly Father knows.

I'll trust Him to unfold the moments,

Just as He unfolds the rose.