A little snow? So what? Just keep blooming!COFFEE WITH WARREN, with Warren Harbeck |
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A pink rose and four hope-filled rosebuds refuse to let a little snow keep them from making the world a more beautiful place. Photo by Mary Anna Harbeck While I was browsing among a bookstore’s shelves recently, one cover stood out as if it had a message for me personally. It even began with my name: “Warren, What on Earth Am I Here For?” Upon second glance, I realized the shelf above had hidden part of the author’s name, Rick Warren. The words next to the intriguing question made it clear that this was one more volume in Rick Warren’s award-winning series, The Purpose Driven Life. The question lingered in my mind for days. What on earth is any of us here for? No doubt many are pondering that very question right now. I’m thinking especially of those facing financial, health, domestic or midlife crises and tempted to give up. This past weekend’s first snowstorm of the year provided one stunningly simple answer. Mary Anna looked out our kitchen window to see how her garden fared under its fresh fluffy white blanket. Was this the onset of six months of hopelessness in the garden which, till now, was radiant in its colourful blossoms – and particularly roses? Roses? Of course! She looked more intently at one of her favourites, grabbed her camera, and ran outside. Here was the epitome of purpose-driven perseverance in the face of adversity, as if following Rick Warren’s oft-stated advice, “Don’t give up when times get tough.” I’m including a photo she took. It’s of the magnificent snow-covered pink rose and four hope-filled rosebuds that provided a perfect answer to the question about why on earth any of us is here at such stressful, bewildering times: When the storms of life happen, as they must, do something beautiful. You never know when your attitude and actions will be a healing tonic for the despair that assaults the souls of so many. Just keep blooming!
© 2016 Warren Harbeck |