There in the center amidst the whithered stems
stood a lone rosebud gleaming like crimson gems,
swaying to and fro beat by blistering gale
with all the look about it as if it would not fail.

Atop a scrawny little branch on winter-barren limb,
I ventured forth to clip it with shears prepared to trim.
But gazing at this little bud so set to see its life
and blooming on regardless of winter's cold cruel strife,
I could not use the sharpened edge to abide by rule of thumb,
snipping way the young ones, to wait for spring time sun.

This little rose had tried so hard to stand against the storm,
Pushing forth and struggling, determined to be born.
Standing alone in debrie and rubble of summer-blooming's past,
then bursting forth to raise its head and breath life at last.

I thought about this little rose as my day turned to twilight
with the hurry and the hussle of the Christmas season bright.
And stopped to take a moment from the many things at hand
to simply gaze upon it as it struggled on to stand.

Then the thought occurred to me of this struggling little flower;
that it was accomplishing what we humans most desire.
To stand tall against the blistering storms that life will deal to all
To fight the adversaries regardless of how small.
To follow the will that lies within regardless of the rules,
Then I recalled, "We have that!"    ...Jesus Christ gave us the tools.