I met sister, Norma, in April when I was in Sacramento, California, for the Wonder Woman Conference. I had the privilege to share a few classes in English during the conference and, then, on Sunday morning, I was also able to share about Iron Rose Sister Ministries with the Hispanic sisters during Sunday morning Bible class.
Norma was inspired in such a way that she wrote a poem that she shared with the women who attended the Ladies’ Day hosted by the Parkway Church of Christ on Saturday, June 27, where I served as speaker for the day.
I share her poem below so that you can also appreciate it and be inspired by what God can do in each of our lives.
This is a loose translation of a poem originally written in Spanish by Norma Neri.
Jesus Christ, the gift of life
A small rose bud, surrounded by many thorns,
Confident, the bud went through the entire world wanting to avoid them.
Each step she made, her heart withered,
Her life drowned and faded with each driven thorn.
That little bud that walked through the world,
Surrounded by tough thorns the enemy and driven in.
Christ rescued her. Then a path of thorns,
She found along her way and cleaned. That little bud,
Withered, withered by pain, my Christ came to call her,
Heal her and give her a better life.
Lord, my Lord, I follow your calling
To a glorious path full of compassion.
Lord, Lord Jesus, thank you for pouring out your love and forgiveness
For this little bud that became a beautiful rose,
Strong like iron, joyful and victorious
In spite of the adversities she found along the way, caused by thorns.
Now, as an iron rose with much love
That Christ transformed, she walks through live serving the Lord and
Praying with faith so that every bud might see,
Even withered and broken by pain,
That they, too, can be converted by God’s power
Into a beautiful Iron Rose Sister in God’s service.
Iron Rose Sisters, loving, virtuous,
Beautiful, joyful, triumphant,
Brave and generous. We continue serving
Our Lord and God in every moment, Amen.