Roses for Mother’s Day—it’s a lasting tradition. Here’s a new twist on that idea, based on the meaning assigned to certain colors of roses. The following devotion from Bouquet of Blessings^TM: Devotions to Delight Your Soul will get you started. You’re welcome to print it and give it to a friend or use it for a devotion time in a mom’s or women’s small group.

Blessed: A Bouquet of Benefits

Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. . . . Forget not all his benefits.

Psalm 103:1–2

I come to the garden alone,
While the dew is still on the roses;
And the voice I hear, falling on my ear,
The Son of God discloses.

C. Austin Miles wrote these opening words of “In the Garden” nearly two centuries ago. As he thought about walking and talking with Jesus, he envisioned roses.

Roses of various colors have come to communicate different meanings. If we have eyes to see and hearts to understand, each color can represent blessings that come to us from God through his church, other believers in the body of Christ. As the fruit and gifts of the Spirit operate in us and in our brothers and sisters in Jesus, God encourages and strengthens us.

Red roses symbolize love, a fruit of the Spirit. We see Christ’s love for us in his blessing us with faithful pastors who proclaim God’s Word to us and who walk with us in the milestone times of our lives—births and deaths, Baptisms and confirmations, weddings and funerals. Week by week, our pastors remind us that like the red rose, the blood shed by Jesus expresses his unconditional and eternal love for us and his full pardon for all our sins.

Pink roses symbolize grace and elegance. What a blessing when friends in Christ’s church have and use gifts of hospitality. They create an atmosphere of warmth and beauty from the decor they design to the smiles, handshakes, and hugs they offer. These people bless us, encourage us, and build us up.

White roses represent purity, honor, and reverence. We might think of the intercessors in our church whenever we see white roses. Their prayer lives are deep, and they take our needs to the throne room of heaven with humility and faithfulness.

Many people see orange roses as communicating enthusiasm. Who has (or needs!) more enthusiasm than nursery and youth workers who mentor young believers and fill them with zeal to spread the Gospel?!

Lord Jesus, the people of my congregation come to me as true blessings from you! They make my life here on earth so much more full and meaningful! Help me cherish them, lift them up in prayer, and praise you for them. Amen.

The Scripture quotation is from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

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