On this 18th day of Advent Virginia is contemplating the fragrance of courage, the kind that keeps pursuing the love of God even when things get thorny.
“Be courageous, my daughter. There are both spiritual and bodily rose bushes. In the latter the thorns are constantly present and the roses wither, but in the former, the thorns pass but the roses persist.” Padre Pio (Saint Pio of Pietrelcina)
“God oft times doesn’t give a lot of answers but just keeps telling us who we are. God just keeps inviting us into that place where love is alive and where God is Love.” Richard Rohr, OFM
grace, peace & fragrant courage
Virginia : )
Roses in the Rubble 
Virginia,
You don’t know how much this spoke to my heart. So I had to tell you! Beautiful. Thank you for your lovely encouragement.
Deb
Thank you, Deb. Your Advent posts this year have also been v. encouraging. Wishing you & your family blessed Merry Christmas filled with lots of love, peace & joy. Cheers! 🌟💜🌟🎄🌟💜🌟
Lovely addition to your Advent offerings, Virginia!
Thank you Debbie. Wishing you & Dallas & Domer a very Merry Christmas blessed with extra doses of Christ’s love, peace & joy (& lots of good cheer!) 🌟💜🌟🎄🌟🤗🍫
Right back atcha, ma’am!!
I love those words…fragrance of courage 🙂
Courage is not easy, hence the lovely fragrance. Think of how roses are associated with Mary who courageously believed “Nothing is impossible with God.” Much love & extra doses of courage, Arlene! 🌟🌹🌟💜🌟🌹🌟