Roses

27 August 2025

Can you spot the 8 rose petals in the picture?

On my day off last Thursday morning, I was hiking with my dog Breezy through Line Creek Nature Area, one of the special treasures of Fayette Country.

As we came upon the shoals, I spotted a brilliant red petal. Such color was unique for that area, so I started glancing horizontally, searching for the special tree or bush responsible for this beauty. But soon it clicked. The frequency and meandering trail of petals indicated I had discovered a very special effort.

As I followed the roses for a few moments, coming the other direction was a man holding a dozen of dilapidated stems. He was tossing the last of the petals on his treasured trail.

I greeted him, “O, so you’re the rose guy? Someone is going to be pretty excited when you bring her along this pathway.” He stammered a moment. “Well, not exactly. Actually, yesterday my girlfriend told me she no longer wants to be with me. We came here often. I thought I’d honor the relationship with one last walk. Maybe it won’t work out. Maybe she’ll come back. But I thought I would try to honor this place which has meant so much to us.”

I tried to offer him a few words of encouragement.

And I couldn’t help but think: how remarkable that this man chose to process such painful news with beauty instead of anger. Many people in their hurt lash out—breaking things, tearing down, or unleashing bitter words. But here was a man who, even in heartbreak, created art. Even in loss, he left a blessing instead of a burden. Wow.

It made me wonder:

How about us? How do we respond when we face the rough news of life? Can we choose creativity over destruction, peace over resentment, hope over despair? Can we honor a chapter of our lives—even when it ends differently than we wanted—by responding with grace?

Scripture reminds us of this very calling. In Ephesians 4, we are told to put away bitterness, rage, and malice. And in Galatians 5, the Spirit urges us instead toward love, peace, patience, kindness, and self-control. If we can, we’re probably better prepared for what God has in store for us up around the bend.

That Line Creek hiker with a broken heart will probably never have a painting hanging in the High Museum of Art in Atlanta. But his trail of roses may be one of the most moving works of art I’ve ever encountered—and one I will carry with me for a long time.

In Christ’s hope,

Pastor Fritz

Let us pray. Lord, teach us to meet life’s disappointments with grace instead of bitterness. When our hearts are heavy, give us the courage to create beauty instead of spreading pain. Fill us with your Spirit so that patience, kindness, and peace overflow from us, even in hard seasons. May our responses point others to your hope and prepare us for the new chapters you are writing in our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Reflection Questions

When I face loss or discouragement, do I tend to respond with anger, bitterness, or creativity and hope?
What might it look like for me to “honor” a closed chapter of my life in a way that reflects God’s Spirit at work in me?
Who in my life needs encouragement to process their pain in a life-giving, creative way rather than destructive ways?