God has blessed us with so many beautiful flowers.

One of our hobbies is growing roses each year. This takes time, work, and much attention to their needs for them to become beautiful roses. Sometimes we have to contend with insects and diseases.

Occasionally, we get stuck by the thorns on the rose stems. The rose bushes require pruning in the winter before they will produce new growth in the spring. When some rose bushes are not producing, our first inclination is to dig them up and plant new bushes.

There is a good parallel between the care of roses and the care of human relationships. Good communication in relationships is a sharing experience. We have to spend time, energy, and loving concern for others to achieve it.

Misunderstandings, disappointments, discouragements can be like insects on the roses, and can be detrimental to good relationships with others. Our spirits require regular pruning of self-centered attitudes that can be as hurtful spiritually as the thorns on roses are physically. The Bible reminds us of the absolute need of spiritual pruning. Like the rose bushes that are unproductive, we are tempted at times to give up on others.

Many times when we give others more chances to grow and mature, they do just that. They blossom like beautiful roses.

The greatest joy in growing roses is sharing them with others. The roses remind us of God’s beautiful gifts that are so abundant in our world.

Several years ago, the entertainer, Mac Davis had a song that reached the top of the charts.

This song, “Stop and Smell the Roses” became his signature song. Several great truths are in this song. We need to slow down and realize that there is a whole lot more to life than work and worry.

The sweetest things in life are free and right before our eyes. We need to count our many blessings everyday. The chorus to this song is “You’re gonna find your way to heaven is a rough and rocky road if you don't stop and smell the roses along the way.”

We need to spend time with our families and friends and let them know how much we love them. Life is really worth living when we stop and smell the roses along the way!