I read a poem this week about a florist and that her special this time of year was a bouquet of rose thorns. A customer was really confused by this and asked what the deal was with the thorns. What the florist said is awesome. She told the customer that she had been through many many trials in her life. She said that she really struggled with her relationship with God during those times and one day came to a realization. That she often thanked and praised God for the roses or the good times in her life. She never praised or thanked God in the times of thorns, or the bad times. She told the customer that every since then she displayed an arrangement of not roses but of thorns at Thanksgiving. This was a reminder that she needed to praise God not just for the good times but for the thorns as well. The customer was going through a rough time herself and left the shop with a huge arrangement of thorns for her dining table.
All this to say, I am thankful for my thorns. TJ and I have had some real trying times but we realize that even in those times we are not alone. God has CHOSEN us to go through these times. I think that is an honor of sorts. I have read plenty of blogs written by people that are going through the same things that we are. Some of them sound so bitter and broken. But my God knew that TJ and I were strong. That we could carry this burden and bring light and attention to God through our struggle. God chose us to bear this cross and to bring honor to Him in all that we do. That includes times of thorns. We still have our moments where we feel down and just wish that His timing was our timing but we try to bring glory to Him daily in our walks. I thank God that we have been through these tough times. TJ and I are closer than many other couples that we know. We have been through much heart break and many good times. All together far from family and friends. He has brought many new people into our lives to help us, pray with and for us, to rejoice with, to be our family. We have grown so much as people this past few years. We know what we are on this earth to do and we have realized what our dreams are. We have identified what needs are verses wants. We definitely have a new appreciation for the blessings that we do have. We are blessed beyond what we really deserve. I am truly blessed to go through the hardships that we have gone through. I am honored that God chose me to go through these and I am so blessed that He chose TJ to be my partner in this journey.
My challenge is to be thankful for our thorns not just this time of year but every day. We need to live our lives that way every day. And to be a light to those that might not see any other light. Thank you Lord for my thorns. Let me bless You with them every day. I know that too often I am resentful for the fact that we struggle. You know what is in my heart. And I know that You have a plan. You are my Heavenly Father. You love me even when I am unlovable. You love me when I throw tantrums because I do not get my way. You love me even more when I am self centered and complain about my place in life. Help me to remember every day that I am blessed. Help me to help others less fortunate. Help me to use my thorns as a way to bring others to know Your everlasting love. And Lord, I thank you for TJ. What an amazing person to be on this journey with. I cannot imagine not having him to walk this path with. His faith, humor, and loyalty have carried me when I do not have any strength left. Thank You for loving me and for sending Your Son as my Savior.
No comments:
Post a Comment