A Rose By Any Other Name

This is a lovely departure from world events, at least for me. As part of our front-to-back landscaping, we transplanted my rose garden from one end of the yard to the other. After going through shock, they are all coming back nicely and some are even starting to bloom. There is so much more room in the new area, with little winding paths and colored stone gravel. It makes such a nice crunch when you walk on it. Then there's a bright white picket fence with an arbor covered by a Lady Banks rose that sets it off from the rest of the yard. I digress.

I just finished a set of weather-proof plant markers with the names of each rose. Funny thing about rose people, there is great meaning in the names -- at least to me. For instance, I would never have a Barbara Streisand in my garden. I could not enjoy that rose without thinking of her politics. As far as politics goes, I do love my WWII Memorial rose, Mister Lincoln, and Proud Land. Ronald Reagan is next on my list.

All that said, I actually purchased a Charles Darwin several years ago when I saw how beautiful it was. It is a fully quartered, buttery-yellow old English rose with a wonderful fragrance. But how could I, being so picky about names and a Christian who believes in creation, put a rose named Darwin in my garden?

Easy. Placement is everything. I would put it between two roses I already had: St. Patrick and Billy Graham. I have always loved St. Patrick's prayer and have a copy on my office wall:

"As I arise today, may the strength of God pilot me, the power of God uphold me, the wisdom of God guide me. May the eye of God look before me, the ear of God hear me, the word of God speak for me. May the hand of God protect me, the way of God lie before me, the shield of God defend me, the host of God save me....Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit, Christ when I stand, Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me. Amen."

I get a chuckle everytime I walk through my garden and see Darwin planted between these two pillars of the faith. My little inside joke.

However, not all Christians share my sense of humor. One of the ladies in our church was still shocked and disapproving that I would buy a rose named Charles Darwin, regardless of who was planted on either side. Oh well, can't please everyone. I am just very thankful to the Lord for my little oasis of roses.