School was out! All my kindergarten boy had left was his graduation. As a token of appreciation for his teacher, her hard work, AND her extreme patience, we decided to give her a special poem, along with a rose. Off to the local store we went – my son and I. He was to pick out this gift – especially for her. Finally, he chose a beautiful, red rose. As I was pulling it out of the container, I was suddenly brought to a quick halt. He firmly declared he did NOT want one with “those THINGS” on it. Upon inquiring just what “things” he was talking about, I realized he meant the THORNS! He wanted the beauty of the rose, but he didn’t want to come close to “paying” for the beauty by being “pricked” by the thorns. Neither did he want to give teacher an “inferior” gift – and that’s how he saw a rose with thorns.
If we’re honest with ourselves, sometimes we look at life a little like that. We always desire the beauty of God’s blessings, but sometimes the greatest beauty He has for us is learned from the valley – after a few “thorn pricks.” It’s never pleasant to “bleed” but, oh, the comfort of His Presence as He stand with us in the valley. He knows. He knows the valley best because he’s “ been there before. He sees. He sees His child who is trusting through the pain and He Himself as promised never to leave or forsake us.
Jesus Himself is also called our, “Rose of Sharon.” Yet, even He, the most perfect rose, was crowned with thorns. Yes, there is beauty gained from the thorns. Every “prick of the torn” we endure in real life can serve to draw us closer to Jesus, our Rose of Sharon. Each test calls us deeper – deeper into the heart of God.
The beauty of His Presence, the grace He provides, the love He gives is well worth the price of the thorn! O, God। Help me allow the “pricks” of life to draw me deeper into You.
Take It With You
“The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and he knows those that trust in Him.” Nahum 1:7
If we’re honest with ourselves, sometimes we look at life a little like that. We always desire the beauty of God’s blessings, but sometimes the greatest beauty He has for us is learned from the valley – after a few “thorn pricks.” It’s never pleasant to “bleed” but, oh, the comfort of His Presence as He stand with us in the valley. He knows. He knows the valley best because he’s “ been there before. He sees. He sees His child who is trusting through the pain and He Himself as promised never to leave or forsake us.
Jesus Himself is also called our, “Rose of Sharon.” Yet, even He, the most perfect rose, was crowned with thorns. Yes, there is beauty gained from the thorns. Every “prick of the torn” we endure in real life can serve to draw us closer to Jesus, our Rose of Sharon. Each test calls us deeper – deeper into the heart of God.
The beauty of His Presence, the grace He provides, the love He gives is well worth the price of the thorn! O, God। Help me allow the “pricks” of life to draw me deeper into You.
Take It With You
“The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and he knows those that trust in Him.” Nahum 1:7
4 comments:
WHAT AN AWESOME REMINDER. THANKS! I HOPE YOU DON'T MIND IF I SHARE THIS WITH MY PASTOR'S WIFE WHO HAD A MISCARRIAGE THIS WEEK.
You may certainly share this!
We will pray that God holds her especially close to His heart right now.
Amen!!! So true!! I have found God's comfort and strength as never before through the loss of our son - a thorn I never could have chosen, but God allowed and has used to bring beauty, growth, appreciation for life, love, etc into our lives.
Cathy, may God comfort your pastor's wife in these VERY difficult days.
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