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As Valentine’s Day approached, I prayed, “Please God, will you send me a rose?” Soon that dreaded day would arrive, when girls receive roses from their boyfriends. But I knew I would receive none. I had no suitors.

By Jocelyn Soriano

I would like to share an entry from my diary. This is something I always try to remember whenever I feel lonely. God is not a distant Person who merely governs the Universe. He is Someone who knows me and cares for my feelings. He is Someone who can listen even to our simplest prayers.

It was near Valentine’s Day.

I was praying to God when I suddenly felt so sad. I felt so lonely. I knew that dreaded day—Valentine’s Day—would soon be coming when girls would be receiving flowers from their boyfriends. I haven’t got any “special someone though”. So no flowers for me—no bouquet, not even a single rose.

It was a bit embarrassing, but I knew the Lord saw through my heart and there was no point in hiding anything. I remained true to my feelings, and I asked God for something I’ve never asked before. I’ve asked Him to send me a rose, just one. I don’t know how it could possibly happen, but I prayed, like a daughter asking something from her dear father. I prayed for a single red rose. I prayed for a small expression of love, a small sign that I am loved, and that I am special as well.

It was a heartfelt prayer, though I never really thought much of it the day after. I guess it was enough for me that I uttered it, and that the Lord heard me. It was already upon God’s hands whether to grant the prayer of silly girls like me.

So I went through my activities for the day, attending a seminar in the morning, and meeting my best friend afterward in the afternoon. My friend and I strolled at a mall for a while and then proceeded to pick up our materials for our upcoming training out of town. After picking them up, we tried to find a ride back home. We found it difficult though and we found ourselves trying to find another route.

On our way, we chanced upon a seedling bank, which we had seen many times before from the outside. A bit curious, we decided to look inside. We were amazed to see such a variety of plants wherever we proceeded. We certainly didn’t expect so much there. But it turned out there was even an exhibit at that time from many skilled participants all over the country!

There were plants of all shapes and sizes, of common and rare varieties. There were beautiful flowers everywhere: orchids, sunflowers, yellow bells, roses of all colors! Their scent enthralls the senses, their soft and vividly colored petals can’t help but delight the eyes. The presentation was just terrific, and it really felt like we’ve just entered a garden that is beyond this world.

Suddenly, right in the middle of that garden, I remembered my prayer for a single red rose.

I realized, right there and then, that that prayer had been granted far beyond how I expected it to be answered. For right before my eyes lay not just a flower, not just a rose, not just a red rose, not just a bouquet of roses, but hundreds of flowers flourishing, blooming, and glorifying the God that answers all of our prayers.

I’ve only asked for a small emblem of care, but what I received is a mountain of flowers testifying to God’s immeasurable love for me.

I felt so happy. I felt so special and blessed. I believed then that no other girl was able to receive as much that Valentine’s Day. No other man could have given as much. But the One who did was the One who loved me, the One who loved me enough to answer that prayer for a single rose.

“God is an ocean, a fire, a living fountain…That is the essence of prayer: this contact with a living God, a God who reacts not like a simple inanimate being but like a living person, with a thrill of joy, with the gift of Himself.” (Marie-Eugene of the Child Jesus, Where The Spirit Breathes)

I will rise now and go about the city, in the streets and in the squares; I will seek him whom my soul loves. — Song of Solomon 3:2, NRSVCE