This morning as I had finished my devotional time I was looking out the window of my den/study. Right outside of this window is a large flower bed where I’d planted a rosebush given to me when my dad had passed. I have to admit that I was bothered when this was given to me because the rose was white and I’d never thought of my dad as white (pure as the driven snow). So, I’ve always made somewhat of a joke out of this little fact–dad is now represented as a white rose? That’s funny!!

Truth be known, as I was looking out at it this morning I was hit with the truth only Jesus all of these years has been trying to get me to see. That truth–Dad was as white as the driven snow as God saw him. Dad had Jesus living in him and we know that when God sees us, He sees Jesus in us if we have asked Jesus into our lives.

I’ve judged my dad harshly over the years for all of the abuse his kids endured. Half of these kids are no longer on earth and they are with dad. As I was looking at 10+ rose buds emerging on dad’s rosebush, I for the first time saw dad as God saw him. I had forgiven dad years ago, but now I can actually see him as the redeemed man he was. It is amazing how gentle, but relentless Jesus is helping us to overcome all the hurdles in our lives we need to get over. Well, I’ve now jumped an important one for me. How good GOD is!