Rose was an ordinary girl with an extraordinary wish. She wanted to bloom! And when it happened, she wanted it to be spectacular.
Rose was not a flower. She was just a child named after one. With a name like Rose and a nickname like Blossom, how could she think about anything other than blooming? She thought these flowery thoughts everyday, but especially during the springtime!
But she had not yet blossomed. She had not yet bloomed. Go figure! Rose Blossom was a late bloomer! How could this be? Everyone in Rose's family tree had blossomed at an early age.
Rose's mom was a writer. She wrote funny stories, sad stories, believable stories and it-could-never-happen-in-a-million years kind of stories.
Dad was a handy man. He hammered, he sawed, he cut and he carved. A piece of wood would transform into something grand in his hands.
Rose's big brother, Josh, was a top-notch, first-place, trophy-winning athlete of the year.
Grace, her big sis, tapped, twirled and plied her way through each and every day.
Even her younger sis, Zoey, had already bloomed. With flour in her hair and a wide, gappy grin, she baked a blue-ribbon, county-fair winning, not-too-tart tart!
Her cousin was a painter. Her poppa played trombone. Grandma was a singer and was never out of tune.
Rose was ever so happy for her very talented kin. However, she could not help but wonder and ask God when it would be her turn to go out into the world and bloom.
Rose thought about faraway places that might provide a perfect spot to plant her self and bloom.
As her thoughts multiplied and grew, they became large enough to include trains, planes, motorcycles and canoes... palm trees, mountain tops, canyons and a bayou.
She was certain if her parents bought her a ticket, she could find the right spot.
Rose's family disagreed. "Rose," they repeated again and again, "You will have to bloom where God has planted you. Your talent will have to be home-grown!"
Rose could not wait any longer... She was ready! She was set! She wanted to bloom now, not later! After all, it was her birthday and she was certain it was time!
Her family showered her with hugs and kisses and we-know-you-will-bloom-soon wishes.
Through a flurry of gift wrap, Rose uncovered a shovel, a spade, a watering can and a packet of seeds. She looked pleased, but slightly confused.
Rose blurted, "You know how I adore the garden! But how will this help me to bloom?
"I think you have a green-thumb," her mom encouraged and hinted.
Rose still did not understand what this had to do with her desire to bloom. But she decided to weed out all of her worries and doubts as she dug and planted her seeds. As she sowed, Rose shared her budding thoughts and her heart with God... and her faith grew.
As promised, Rose did blossom. And she bloomed. Except, she did not notice yet!
Rose shouted, "Bravo" at her sister's dance recital, as she threw a home-grown bouquet.
To an under-the-weather friend, she delivered a bundle of flowers wrapped in a smile.
Rose arranged a vase full of sweet-smelling inspiration for her cousin to paint.
And an armful of daisies were picked for mom, just to say "I love you."
Often, Rose pulled a wagon filled with vegetables to the soup kitchen in town.
Many pumpkins from Rose's patch smiled brightly at the Autumn Harvest Fair.
As Rose Blossom shared her fruitful bounty with her little sis, it amazingly and deliciously transformed into souffles, pies and soups extraordinaire!
Finally, it dawned on Rose. She HAD blossomed. She HAD bloomed! Not only did she have a very green thumb, she had a happy heart!
These newly discovered talents and gifts were not only hers, but hers to give to others. Rooted in faith, Rose's kindness and generosity grew as readily as her flowers, fruits and vegetables.
And Rose blossomed, indeed. Season after season, year after year, she continued to bloom and grow, bloom and grow... daily growing in grace.
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As I wrote this children's story, I knew Rose's heart because it is my heart, too! For quite some time I have struggled with my faith and with where God has planted me. I now understand that God has called me...to be my husband's helpmeet, to be a homeschooling mom, and to be the keeper of my home. He created me wonderfully... to be a writer and an encourager, a question-asker and a truth-seeker, a planter and a nurturer. I admit I was a late bloomer, but I finally decided to grow where God has planted me!
If I'm not careful, I allow the weeds of the world to crop up in my garden and threaten my growth. During those times I feel more like a wall flower rather than a beautiful bouquet! I feel like I am wilting instead of flourishing! And then I abide in the vine... in my Saviour. That is when I bear fruit. That is when I bloom & grow. I desire to be a sweet-smelling fragrance to my Lord. May I plant seeds of encouragement and hope as I seek Him and share with you!
