Psalm 103:15-18

As for man, his days are like grass;

As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.

For the wind passes over it, and it is gone,

And its place remembers it no more.

But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting

On those who fear Him,

And His righteousness to children’s children,

To such as keep His covenant,

And to those who remember His commandments to do them. Psalm 103:15-18

Outside our house are numerous rose bushes.  In the spring, the buds come out in full force, quickly blossoming into beautiful blooms, all shades of pink.  I love pink roses. My wedding bouquet was made up of them.  I wanted to paint a pink rose for my art challenge this week #6, …favorite flower in acrylics.  I grabbed my camera and headed outdoors to take some pictures of them, only to be disappointed.  I couldn't find any nice looking rose as I had seen just a couple of weeks prior.  Most were completely gone.  The ones left were brown tinged and fading.  I relegated to perusing the internet for a decent photo of a pink rose to use as my reference for painting.   

This made me think of Psalm 103.  Things of this world fade….material things, possessions, seasons of life, and sadly, people.  But what is encouraging and comforting for Christians is God’s mercy….it’s from everlasting to everlasting.  We are blessed by His mercies each and every day.  So I smile and know that one of those mercies will be that my roses, yet again, will bloom in just a few short weeks (if not days).  But I cannot forget the verses that follow.  While I enjoy His mercies each and every day, I must also remember His commandments.  I have to live for Him, be a light for Him in this world, and obey His commandments….and teach this to my children.