God's Plan...And His Garden...

Some of you know about my family some of you don't.  For those of you who do know about my family, this will make sense, for those of you who don't perhaps this will be a way to take a good look into how I look to the members of my family.

Recently, I had to run to the store to pick up some odds and ends for a group party that I was a part of.  So, off I went.  I went around the store and I picked up the things that I needed.  As I was heading to the front, I was heading up the aisle, only to be blocked by a young man who seemed to be about 15 or 16 years of age.  I wasn't in a crazy rush, so I patiently waited for him to realize I was there.  This was when he waved his hands wildly and said very loudly, "Mommy, I'm over here!!!"
 It became clear to me that he suffered from some sort of mental retardation and it startled him to see me standing behind him, waiting patiently to pass by.  His eyes got really wide and when I said, "Hey, pal...what's your name?"
"My name is Danny and I'm shopping with my mom!" He responded enthusiastically.
"Wow," I said, "My name is Andy, but having a name like Danny would be pretty cool," I repsonded.  "How old are you, Danny?"
"How old am I now, Mommy?" He asked his mother as she slowly came over from the next aisle.
"You're 15 years old Danny; now be a good boy and let the nice man pass by."  She said.
I acknowledged her and continued to talk to Danny for a few minutes more about the end of school, summer, and his plans for a fun time.  I watched as he became more and more excited about the idea that he was the center of someones attention other than his mother's.  He turned and headed away with his Mom, but not before she thanked me for taking the time to stop a moment and talk to her son.  She had a puzzled look upon her face.  She told me that many people wouldn't even look at him, let alone take the time to talk with him.  I told her that it was my pleasure and then I said something from where I have no idea it came; other than perhaps from the prompting of the Holy Ghost.
I said, "There are plenty of red, yellow, and pink roses in God's garden; however, blue roses are very rare, even for His garden and should be appreciated for their beauty and rarity.  You see, Danny is a blue rose and if someone didn't stop to smell that rose and touch that rose with the kindness of their heart, they've truly missed a blessing from God."
The mother went silent for a moment, then with a tear in her eye, she asked, "Who are you?"
Without thinking I responded, "Oh, I'm just a dandelion, but I sure love living in God's garden."
She reached out, grabbed my hand and said to me, looking directly into my face, "God Bless, you!"

If I can be so bold, the next time you see a "blue rose," don't turn and walk away.  Take the time to stop and  say hello.  Why?  Because, by the grace of God, this mother or father could be you.  In this instance, it was my cousin.  See, I have a cousin who is severely challenged and far too many people don't pay attention.  Because if they did, they would see what a wonderful young woman Rebecca really is.

I don't see much of her, because we live almost 1000 miles apart, but I know her mother and her uncle very well.  They are my cousins too.  And I know the great love that pours from Rebecca without any thought or expectation.  That is true love.  Her mother asked me once, while I was in seminary, "Why did God allow this to happen to Rebecca and me?"

I told her that God's plan for each person is His own.  We can't know the reason or the method by which He will use us, but that we must simply trust and have faith in Him Who Is.  I believe that Rebecca was made the way she was to teach us how to love unconditionally.  It is a rare thing in this world to see pure love and it is a rare thing to see such beauty.  We might not like the ease or difficulty by which God chooses to act in our lives, but in the end, it is how we view it that makes a big difference.

So, take it from a dandelion, examples of love are everywhere and in the most unlikely places.  Please keep your eyes open and know that God has a reason and a use for every person.