Blue Roses
Why do I always have to be the one that starts
to do laundry and there's no detergent? I guess
it was time for me to do my "Dollar Store" run,
which included light bulbs, paper towels, trash
bags and Clorox. So off I go.
I scurried around the store, gathered up my
goodies, and headed for the checkout counter
only to be blocked in the narrow aisle by a
young man that appeared to be about
sixteen-years-old. I wasn't in a hurry, so I
patiently waited for the boy to realize that I
was there. This was when he waved his hands
excitedly in the air and declared in a loud
voice, "Mommy, I'm over here." It was obvious
now, he was mentally challenged, and also
startled as he turned and saw me standing so
close to him, waiting to squeeze by. His eyes
widened and surprise exploded on his face as I
said, "Hey Buddy, what's your name?"
"My name is Denny and I'm shopping with my
mother," he responded proudly.
"Wow," I said, "that's a cool name; I wish my
name was Denny, but my name is Hal."
"Hal like Halloween?" he asked.
"Yes," I answered. "How old are you Denny?
"How old am I now Mommy?" he asked his mother as
she slowly came over from the next aisle.
"You're fifteen-years-old Denny; now be a good
boy and let the man pass by."
I acknowledged her and continued to talk to
Denny for several more minutes about summer,
bicycles and school. I watched his brown eyes
dance with excitement because he was the center
of someone's attention. He then abruptly turned
and headed toward the toy section.
Denny's mom had a puzzled look on her face and
thanked me for taking the time to talk with her
son. She told me that most people wouldn't even
look at him, much less talk to him. I told her
that it was my pleasure and then I said
something I have no idea where it came from,
other than by the prompting of the Holy Spirit.
I told her that there are plenty of red, yellow
and pink roses in God's garden, however, "Blue
Roses" are very rare and should be appreciated
for their beauty and distinctiveness. You see,
Denny is a "Blue Rose" and if someone doesn't
stop and smell that rose with their heart and
touch that rose with their kindness, then
they've missed a blessing from God.
She was silent for a second, then with a tear in
her eye she asked, "Who are you?"
Without thinking I said, "Oh, I'm probably just
a "daffodil or maybe even a dandelion," but I
sure love living in God's garden.
Pastor Hal Steenson
This real life story took place July 12, 2006.
JEB
Please the next time you see a BLUE ROSE don't
turn your head and walk off, take the time to
smile and say Hello. Because by the grace of GOD
this mother could be you. This could be your
child, grandchild, niece, nephew. What a
difference a moment can mean to that person or
their family.
From another old daffodil.
|