To honor Virginia’s 10th blog-versary, here is a post from 2011 of why she chose the name “Roses in the Rubble.” It’s about finding Roses in the Rubble of our lives…
As a relief & development worker I documented sobering issues: child victims of war, the ravages of HIV/AIDS, and injustices (mass graves inclusive) in conflict zones and places of poverty around the world. After collecting flower photographs during my first posting in the Middle East, what began as a hobby (making cards out of flower pics) became something more, especially during the Kosovo relief program. Finding roses in the rubble and capturing them on film.
Finding beauty –HOPE – in a disaster zone.
I love flowers, our Creator’s heavenly paintbrush splashing beauty around us. In Tanzania jacaranda trees lined a street near our main office. Every December lavender flowers canopied in giant trees fluttered everywhere. It reminded me of elven Lothlorien in Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. When I went on (and on) about the beauty of these trees, my African boss said, “the flowers mess up your windshield and make a mess all over your car!”
But, hey, they were still a beautiful, inspiring mess!
Sometimes our lives are filled with messy mistakes, failures and piles of rubble. But the thing about finding roses in rubble, you have to look for them. Sometimes they’re hiding behind our fears, insecurities, anger and bitterness.
But God can do the impossible, and God is rather good at bringing good out of impossibly challenging circumstances.
Think of Joseph, thrown down a well and sold into slavery by his mean brothers. Never say it can’t get worse: he ended up in the rubble of an Egyptian prison (they are notoriously bad now – imagine what it must have been like 5,000 or so years ago?)
Keeping the faith, however, years later he became the second most powerful man in Egypt and saved not only Jacob and his family but the whole region from starvation. Joseph became a powerfully strong rose amidst debilitating and devastating rubble. As he later told his brothers, “what you meant for evil, God used for good.”
I know that God has grown roses out of my personal rubble in impossible-to-comprehend ways and those around me, especially my bed-fast quadriplegic Papa. (May he and Mama now R.I.P.) I’ve also met many inspiring roses living in the rubble of conflict zones who reflect the beauty of hope to shattered hearts and broken dreams around them.
Their scarred blooms are filled with petals of faith, hope, peace and love as they exude the bitter-to-sweet scent of joy amidst suffering.
Living roses inspire us to be more of who we are meant to be: beloved sons and daughters of our Almighty Heavenly Father, regardless of whether we are red, yellow, pink or purple: we all come from the same human stem of life created in God’s image.
If you are bogged down looking at the rubble around you, Heads Up! Look around, the sun still rises and the sun still sets (keeping Heavenly paintbrushes busy.) If God clothes the flowers of the field so beautifully, will He not take care of us?
Have faith…and COURAGE.
It takes courage to be a rose when rubble surrounds you!
grace, peace & resilient roses
Virginia : )
“The Lord is my Light and my Salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid? One thing I desire, and that I will seek after: to behold the beauty of the Lord and inquire in His temple.” Psalm 27:1&4
Roses in the Rubble 
All I can say is “Amen!! “🙏
Thanks Cin – Amen & AMEN! Big hugs!! 🌹🤗🌹
So beautiful post with so much hope,care and joy even in distress and despair.There’s always a hope for those who believe that everything is possible for the mighty one.It’s a joy to be able to see at least the photographs of your beloved parents.Thank you very much for sharing joy,love,peace and hope.Take care.🌹😊🙏
Thank you, Francis, for your encouragement! Finding roses in the rubble of our lives is not easy (!) but possible if we trust God & keep hoping (& believing God will provide grace to cope!) I miss my precious parents every day, but the legacy of their faith & love live on in my heart. Many (many) blessings to you! 🌹🙏🌹🤗🌹
Amen.Thank you very much.Take care.🌹😊🙏
Beautiful and now I know the origin of the title of your lovely blog site.💖🐾
Thanks GH, I’d like to think that laughter – the ability to laugh despite the rubble in our lives- also makes a rose. You are an amazing, persevering rose!!! 🌹🤗🌹
Awww….withered and almost dried out but struggling to flourish amidst all the rubble LOL!
Always good to re-read this gem.
Thanks, Tim, for all your encouragement over the years that has meant so much!!
It’s good to read the story behind the blog title. Congratulations on your 10th Blogiversary. 🥀
Thanks so much for your encouragement, Jane! It’s hard to believe it’s been TEN YEARS! yikes! Blessings!, 🌹🎂🌹🤗🌹
loved knowing how your blog was born.
Thank you Michele for all your encouragement over the years – much much love!!! 🌹🎂🌹🤗🌹🎂
I loved hearing about your blog’s naming, Virginia — thank you! And congrats on 10 years, too!
Thanks Debbie for your amazing encouragement. One of my favorite things about blogging is finding kindred spirits like you! Cheers! 🌹🎂🌹🤗🌹🎂🌹
Wow, Virginia! Thank you.
Thank you Sister Renee — roses in the rubble aren’t always easy to find, but sometimes they appear where we least expect! Hope you are keeping well! Blessings – Virginia
Beautiful post dear Virginia! Congrats on your 10th Blog Anniversary! Love and many blessings always!
Thank you so much Patty. It’s been a blessing meeting special friends like you in the Blogosphere. I always enjoy catching up with your Instagram posts now, Patty. They are so amazing! Big hug, lots of love + blessings, too! Virginia
Always a good read! Ten good years. Oh my!
Happy 10th blogiversary! It’s takes dedication and discipline to blog for that long.
I congratulate you Virginia. Keep writing. Keep inspiring. It’s been a pleasure reading your post. So you know I look forward to more to come.
Cheers to your 10th year! 🎉🎊💝
Thanks so much, Sunshine. What has made keeping at it this long special is meeting blogging friends like you. Your support and encouragement during ups and downs of life over these years has meant loads. So many times one of your posts has brought a boost of hope, inspiration and joy into my life. Thank you! Big hugs! Virginia