Musings on Memorial Day Morning

    Just last week when working in the yard, I thought to myself, Oh, look at the vintage rose bush! I wonder if it truly survived the drought. Near the bottom of the bush, there were a couple of the tiniest pinkish buds trying to emerge.

    On Memorial Day morning of 2023, I rejoiced at the glorious morning following the much-appreciated half inch of predawn rain. What a surprise to glance at the corner of the yard fence and see the vintage rose bush reveling in all its glory in the pristine, rain-cleansed early morning!

Grandma Gladys Rainey Smith's
Vintage Rose Bush in 2023

    My mind rolled back to Memorial Days beginning in the mid-60s. Early each Memorial Day morning, Dad would take a couple of large tubs in the back of his pickup and drive northeast in the pasture. Grandma Gladys Smith explained Felix Deputy had planted roses near a small house where he lived in what is now Mother’s northeast pasture. Mr. Deputy identified himself as a servant or laborer on early 20th century United States Census records for the Big Hill Township, the area that includes the Big Bend.

    The tiny, light pink roses were cut from the hidden former residence noted only by the roses and a foundation. Dad cut them with his knife, put them in the big tubs, and added water. At the cemetery, Dad delighted in having an inquisitive young relative peer into the tubs. Dad allowed that child to help by pouring water around the small bouquet of flowers placed into the little hole Dad had dug. Dad usually shared a brief biography of the deceased.

    Sometimes the vintage rose bush I had recently observed provided a few extra roses for those Memorial Day flower tubs. It is hard to believe the longevity of the vintage rose bush in the southwest corner of Mother’s lawn. Year after year the beauty of the little rose clusters have graced the yard of Mother’s pink house. Some of the tiny posies are so small yet so exquisitely captivating.

The Beautiful Clusters of Roses in 2023

    I thought of how much the lives of the godly mirror the vintage rose bush. Isaiah recorded in Isaiah 46:4 these words that state God provides sustaining support for His people as they age. “Even to your old age, I am He, and even to the gray hairs I will carry you! I have made and I will bear; Even I will carry, and will deliver you.

    As I looked at the attractive little bunches of the pink roses, I recalled the Apostle Peter writing specifically to women these words from Peter’s first letter, chapter 3, verse 4, “You should be known for the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.” Every believer’s heart cry should reflect the words of the old song, "Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me."

One of the Tiniest Pink Roses

    Some of the most delicate, exquisite, yet vibrant colored roses on the vintage bush were gorgeous in color but miniscule in size. The unnamed author inspired by the Holy Spirit wrote the longest chapter in the Bible, Psalm 119, based entirely on the Word of God. Verse 141 appears in New International Reader’s Version of the Bible like this, “I’m not important. People look down on me. But I don’t forget to obey your rules.” Just as the tiniest roses might have been overlooked on the bush so may many believers appear insignificant. However, we will never be unimportant in God’s eyes when we know and obey the commands of God. In turn, we will impact and influence those around us. 

    May the roses that come and go so quickly yet bring such lovely sights for the eyes and fragrance for the nose enable us to embrace and pray these phrases from the prayer of Moses as recorded in Psalm 90:12 and 17.

So teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

...Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us and establish the work of our hands for us; Yes, establish the work of our hands.