THE PRAYER OF ROSES

THE PRAYER OF ROSES

O’ Jesus, my fragrant rose, when I was born, the seeds of Your spirit were planted in me. Rose buds, with fragrant petals of compassion and gentleness. Forgiveness and calmness. Thoughtfulness and kindness. Peacefulness and mercy. Aroma of the Holy Spirit poured into me, roses, gifts of Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, and Fear Of The Lord. Without these virtues, I would be like a flower without petals, a barren stem, a weed with no substance. 

I am not perfect, but humbled by Your presence to grow to holiness.. My faith is like a fortress, strong and unbreakable. My trust in You, unshakable.. All that I am, still unfinished, continue to be molded to climb the ladder to heaven. My prayers are lifted upward, spiraling in compassionate gestures. Rose petals, each one, prayerful in reverence and thanksgiving. I heard You whisper, come follow me, I will not abandon you, I will give you rest. And then like a blossom, sweet and loving, Your embrace enclosed my heart. Roses danced-overwhelmed me- and I was Yours. I surrendered myself to You, to trust in Your guidance, instruction, and direction.

You rescued me from the pains of my childhood, given me comfort in these matters. There is no bitterness or resentment in me. There is no anger. No hostility. I am deeply repentant. Patient. I am free, basking in Your presence. This is what love is, like a rose ingesting the beauty of Your gifts.

Long ago, You designated me as a “victim soul”, to endure my inflictions with grace. I responded and accepted each infliction, offering them to You, in accordance to Your need. Each one, an invitation to carry a cross for someone else. I am not here to conquer mountains, but to climb the next hill, to make a difference to someone, somewhere to take their place of suffering. I say these things to You, with simplicity and pure of heart. You needed someone, and I said yes.

You come to me in delicate moments, in silence, melting my burdens. It is not with thunder, but raindrops and snowflakes. In soft musical melodies. In the waves of the sea. In someone’s tears. A broken heart. The poor. The suffering. You gave me the vision to see these things. And to feel these things. Rose pedals infused, attached to my heart and soul. My thoughts. The words I write.

O’ how I long for You. What more do You ask of me? What more do You need?

Who shall You send? The radiance of Your spirit illuminates my heart to sparkle,

to reach out to those on my path. A kind word. To be a friend. To listen .To console. To give hope. I am consumed by all of this. For in love, there is nothing that cannot be defeated. It is an invisible castle, a stronghold of the soul. For love is the conqueror, the rose the helper.

And when my body can carry me no more, it is best to close the book of my life and hand it over to the Holy One, who wrote the script. My journey will elevate, soaring upward above the clouds. The last breath. The last page. Reaching the bridge to heaven, I will fall into the center of the rose, the heart of Jesus.

There are no other words to tell you this; only these; I love You.

Robert J Varrick

rjvarrick@gmail.com