Ever since I was a child, I always loved receiving flowers. Rose is my favorite kind of flower. This flower reminds me that I am loved, and I am worthy. I usually receive flowers when it’s my birthday or Valentine’s Day. I always feel that when someone gives me a rose, I am important to that person, and they treasure me. It brings me great joy to receive even just one rose.
During the pandemic, I longed to receive roses. I longed to receive flowers because the pandemic was the most challenging time of my life. It’s so hard to receive the love that I want, believe that I am worthy, and see that I am still capable of doing great things. It felt like, for me to receive a rose, I must always do my very best to show that I am worthy to receive one. I need to do all the great things in life to be happy. I need to be perfect in my academics and mission life to get the flower that I long for. But I was wrong because God continuously gave me the roses I deserve. I did not receive it physically, but He gave it through all the people He gave to me. Every person that God gave me is like a rose to me. A rose who makes me feel loved and worthy without asking anything in return. A rose who always asks how my day is and asks if I want to play games. A rose who genuinely asks what I am feeling. A rose who consistently supports me in everything that I do. A rose who is willing to accompany me on my journey. A rose that will never get tired of carrying my burdens. In every rose that God gave me, I see Him in them. The love of the Lord is like a rose that will never wither. It will never wilt because it is meant to flourish. A love that is meant to flourish for me to become a good rose to many people. To be a rose where God can be seen. I am meant to receive the rose and be a rose to the living souls that God entrusted to me. It will never be easy, but I need to remind myself that there is a process, even in flowers.
For a rose to be a rose, it takes different stages and undergoes the needed steps. It is okay if I am in stage one or two; if I plant the seed and commit to growing, I will surely get there. I will surely be the rose that God wants me to be. He is always willing to wait for me to become the best rose I can be and will embrace even the thorns I have. God is the best gardener and florist. He will let me grow and choose the best water and sunlight for me to flourish. He will arrange the roses that I need in my life and send me to people that need a rose in their life too. In any season, God is the perfect flower that I will always choose to pick.
About the Author
Ate Ayhen Bathan is our Mission Volunteer from the Area of Batangas. She currently serves in MFC CAMPUS. She is a Petroleum Engineering student. She also loves to watch k-dramas and movies. Talking is her hobby and it makes her happy when she sees the people around her smile.
