This is always a sad time of year because I know that it won't be long before there are no leaves and no blooms on my rose bushes. Even these last blooms are not as colorful and brilliant as they would be if it was July or August.

But today, as I worked in my little garden, I noticed that even though the conditions are not all that good for growth--things are slowing down, it is colder, there is less light each day, and the rain will soon turn to snow--at the base of the rose bushes is new growth. Even though conditions are not perfect or even good for new growth, those little rose bushes continue to try and grow.

It reminds me of the children who come to First Steps for care. I meet them and often the conditions they live in are far from ideal for a child to grow and thrive in--anger, abuse, grief, sorrow--and yet they, like my little rose bushes continue to try to grow and thrive.

They share their pain with me openly, knowing it will help them heal, they do things to make themselves laugh, and above all else, they reach deep inside themselves and find the strength and determination they need to keep going! I call this "connecting with their spirit"--connecting with the strength, hope and light God gives us even in our darkest times!

These children are a constant reminder to me that life is not always ideal--all of us suffer, face difficulties, and struggle at times--and it is at those times when we need to find God again. For God can give us hope when we have none, and light when the darkness overwhelms us.

My little rose bushes continue to try and grow even though they do not have ideal growing conditions in fall. The hurting children of First Steps continue to try and grow and strive even though they face huge difficulties and pain--may we as adults learn from them and when life gets hard--above all esle, may we look for God's hope and strength so that, like them, we can grow and thrive even in the worst of times.