The third bud...!

What held my attention about the two rose flowers above and below, is the the way the third bud remained hidden from sight and had to be found out! One had to move the twig around to find the third bud.
 

This set me started on an enquiry about the way I view my situations. 

There is a moving incident in the life of King David we read about in  the Bible, 2 Samuel 9. David after becoming the king enquired from his servant Ziba, as to whether anyone was left from the family of the former King Saul, who needed to be shown kindness. Ziba reported that Mephibosheth, son of Jonathan and the grandson of Saul is staying with another family. Mephibosheth was lame in both feet. 

David invited Mephibosheth to dine with him from then on and arranged for all the property belonging to Saul to be given to him with Ziba's family given the responsibility to cultivate the land and to give the proceeds to Mephibosheth.  

Saul sought to kill David ever since prophet Samuel anointed David to be the future king. David had at least two opportunities to kill Saul (1 Samuel 24 and 26 chapters), but spared his life in recognition that Saul was anointed by God to be the king. Following Saul and his sons were slain (1Samuel 31) David became the king although with some difficulties. 

The chapter 8 of 2 Samuel is all about David's triumphs. At the height of his popularity and success, David remembered to be kind to Saul's family, that too to one who was developmentally challenged. 

To me this is the 'second mile' journey in relationships as proposed by Jesus of Nazareth in Mathew 5:38-48. 'I say to you love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (v44). 'If you love those who love you, what reward have you.. And if you greet your brothers only, what do you do more than others..' (v.47).

I have had some difficult relationships that need attention for conciliation at my work place. I am not sure whether it is likely to happen! 

The third bud is a reminder to me of the way one is called to live openly towards those with whom we have to relate. Even those towards whom one might have reasons to be reserved. would come under the grace of forgiveness and acceptance that God calls us to live with. 

The flower bunch is never complete unless the third bud is also included and recognised. 

I am not sure whether the possibility of conciliation is in the horizon! But to stay open with a forgiving and receiving spirit is the least that I can do. 

The table of forgiveness is a gift we can offer to others. That too is my longing as I wait!

If we can journey to renew relationships, the prospects are many!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)