Just like a rose…….
Rose is known as the 'Queen of Flowers' This indicates that queenliness Beauty, Grace are its inherent qualities. No other flower surpasses it for its beauty, color and fragrance. This is the reason why it is considered a universally favorite flower.
Rose, a symbol of love, the essence of beauty, the most beloved flower, and yet, the stem is filled with thorns. Yes you all know Roses have thorns. Why? You may wonder. Why would thorns be associated with something as beautiful and delicate as a rose flower? Thorns are there to protect the rose. Thorns help to ward off animals from eating the rose up.
Why am I talking about the rose flower today? Well because my mother was Just like a rose. She was just as beautiful, as admirable, as delicate!
And just like a rose, mama had to deal with the thorns that surrounded her. Everyone who knew mama very well, knew that she had all sorts of challenges in her health. But she carried every thorn with grace. She never let these challenges steal neither her joy nor her peace. She cared about other people more than she cared about herself. She gave joy and happiness to all who came her way. She enjoyed fellowship with others. And most importantly with God, the author and finisher of her faith. She cooked and shared the little that she had with others. Life was not about her. It was about us, those she loved deeply.
Just Like rose, the thorns made her better. She understood that having visual challenges at a certain time in her life could be her way of shutting out the world and focusing on her maker Jesus. She gained extra eyes. Spiritual eyes. She saw things that others could not see.
Paul talks about a thorn in his flesh that constantly caused him pain. Paul says that he earnestly prayed God to take the pain away. But what did God do? He did not remove it. Instead God told him ‘’My Grace is sufficient for you’’ Like Paul, we prayed and prayed for mama’s healing. But instead God topped up His grace for her. Amidst the uncountable hospital stays and emergency room visits and finally hospice care, mama kept receiving more and more grace to deal wit h her pains, with her thorns. And she looked even more radiant than she had ever been. People marveled at her skin, her voice, her intelligence and memory. Everything beautiful and complete. Even her teeth at her age did not show any signs of aging. That is the power that lies in God’s grace. The power of redemption and restoration.
Mama’s life is being celebrated today because of God’s grace that isolated her a beautiful rose flower , delicate, radiant, wise, loving, discerning yet surrounded with thorns. And today my heavy heart is mixed with extreme Joy as we celebrate God’s faithfulness in her life because God gave me the opportunity to tend to this beautiful rose garden. It didn't just happen. I asked for it. And God gave me the chance. I thank the lord for renewing our strength as we went through the journey.
First he gave me a selfless, resilient and loving husband then He surrounded me with a host of wonderful family and friends who helped to hold my hands so that they will not get weary. Some wonderful women who gave care to Mama at her most volatile times and some super supportive men and women of God who backed us up in prayers and gave us their loving support. Yes many of you seated here today did this job together with us.
May God bless you all and cause overdose of His grace in your lives in Jesus name. Thank you all for coming. Mama, you are already in your heavenly home. But your I feel you in your now, earthly home. Right here in my heart. You will live for ever.
Chidimma! Nwanyi Manari! Oje na nwayo! Nnem Oyoyo nwanyi, je n’udo! If you were a flower mama, you’ll be a rose. -Ify Onochie