A Crushed Rose

O, beautiful rose , please tell me ,

For I would like know

Why I must crush your petals

That the sweet perfume may flow .

O life that is clothed in beauty

Perhaps like that wonderful rose

You will need to be crushed by suffering

If the radiance of your life must glow

A life that is crushed by sorrow

Can feel for another’s grief ,

And send out that fragrance of love

That will bring some heart relief .

O , do not repine at your testing

When called to pass under the rod;

For your life the sweeter will be

If bless by the hand of God

Then let us rejoice  when He sendeth

Some sorrow or hardship that tries ,

And be glad to be crushed as the rose leaf

That a sweeter perfume may arise ,

Jan Bagwell

God Bless !!