Thorns and Blossoms

The above picture is of some branches I tied together to hang on my door for Palm Sunday. We are doing this for Palm Sunday because in our state we are amidst a "shelter in place" and will not be in church like many,many states. My daughter and I were taking a walk down our country road when I spotted a hawthorn tree on the other side of a ditch. We have several hawthorn trees around the farm and I love them because of the pretty white flowers that covers them in the spring. Originally I had thought of using some dogwood branches but when I spotted this tree, with it's delicate white blossoms, it was a done deal. So, I retrieved my clippers and down the ditch I went. Now, snipping the branches was where the tricky part came in. They have long thin thorns! I cut the branches I needed and back up the ditch this country girl went! Up on the front deck I took my hand clippers and started removing the thorns.. As I said we have other hawthorn trees, in fact one at the end of our walkway, that i pass many times a day. The fact that they have little white flowers and thorns has not been hidden from me. Yet, as i was clipping off the thorns I noticed how many times there seemed to be a thorn with a white, tiny, delicate flower beside it. That is when God decided to have a conversation with me. For me, the timing of God speaking to me never stops amazing me .

God: "Trina, do you feel the prick, the sting, the discomfort of these thorns?"

Me: "Yes, Lord! They HURT!"

God: "Have you noticed the beauty I have put beside the thorn?"

Me: "Definitely Lord...they are so white and delicate. How could I miss something so beautiful!"

God: "My child, take a minute and think about the recent days. Those days have been full of thorns. I have seen all the  suffering, anxiety, fear. But have you just been looking at all the thorns of recent days or have you noticed the blossoms, the beauty, the blessings that I have placed before you and all around? I have given you a branch that is bent over with the weight of my blessings but you have to stop and let your eyes see them!"

I must say sitting in the chair on my deck tears rolled down my face. "Forgive me Father for what I have done and what I have failed to do. You have given me so much and please open my eyes to see what you have placed in front of me!"

The last month has not only been life altering for me, my family, my circle of friends, my city, county and state. In every corner of the globe there has been anxiety, fear, death, and despair. Life altering globally!! Yet, we must not forget we have a global God!! A God whose eyes see each and every person in the entire world. And whose blessings, hope, hands, and heart have placed beautiful blossoms in front of each and everyone. Yes, this virus is touching everyone around the world in one way or another but we still have a God who is placing hope and joy and comfort right beside  "this thorn". His blessings, his mercy, his grace can't be squeezed out by any thorn small or big, by any virus locally or globally.

I, in no way am trying to minimize the suffering that is happening right now. That is real and heart wrenching. What I am attempting to do is remind you of something I needed to be reminded of. So, after God's talk with me, while I was working on my door hanging I started bringing to mind all the wonderful gifts I have been given and seen since this virus erupted.  Those blessings and that grace that has been poured out upon me is real also. Yet, I have spent the majority of my time looking at the thorns instead of gazing at the blossoms. God's conversation with me this evening, as the warm sun was setting, was much needed. Please spend time refocusing your eyes and your thoughts. God is placing branches of tiny white blossoms right before your eyes...and HAPPY PALM SUNDAY to all!

So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!" John 12:13