Proverbs 31:21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

      The passing of Indian summer announced its end as the last and faded pink blooms struggled to give a display of summer strength. October nights ushered in the chill and frost that foretells the inevitable arrival of winter. Rose bushes supporting their final seasonal blooms whispered a message within me, resulting in one of life’s lessons that can be gleaned when one stops and smells the roses.
      I considered the struggles and obstacles that October roses encounter in their daily attempts at existence. Its nemesis of changing temperatures and frequent northerly wind gusts take its daily toll on this flower of romantic intention. The end of their growing season is inevitable, yet these flowers persist in expressing their velvet charm and pastel beauty until the final petal drops.
      This floral expression of survival instills a notion within me, in that I have had the privilege of knowing people whose backbone and character were made of the same persistent integrity and spine for living. Phil. 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
      We all know people who in the face of insurmountable odds overcame their fiercest battle and still held the integrity of God in their hearts. Like October roses these saints continued to bloom and express what Christ had put in their hearts, no matter what their season looked like on the inevitable horizon. 
      We can all name a person who brought us a delivering word, help, or answer to our life situation. In that moment they were an answer to prayer to us, yet they themselves were struggling with their own major issues. Like October roses their hearts bloomed large because Christ is the Lord of their heart. Eph. 3:20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
      We read and hear of great acts of courage that take place in written accounts in the bible. David and Goliath. Moses at the Red Sea. Samson warring with the jawbone of a donkey. Elisha on Mount Carmel. Stephen sentenced to death for his faith and praising God as the mob killed him. These incredible acts of courage are ours to build our faith upon through God who made these miracles happen.
      But what about you and me, the everyday person walking out our faith in Christ? Do we have this courage within us? I believe we do because we have all seen it played out in less dramatic forms every day in the saints we walk with. We just have to stop and smell the roses, per se, to see it. 
      These October roses continue to bloom and are not afraid of the next season of their life, no matter what battle is confronting them. Phil. 3:13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. Stand up and push forth a display of spiritual strength in the face of your north wind. Bloom where God has planted you in Christ.
      Take the time this week and stop and look at the roses put on their final display. Think of whose courage these roses remind you of. Take a moment and thank God for that person and pray a blessing over them. Eph. 6:18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. Be strong in the Lord. Our next season is upon us. Blessings.