Friends' Favorite - Thorns

 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.

Matthew 13:22 NIV

I can't say I've ever been thankful for thorns. They are inherent hindrances to keep you from the obvious - the rose, but you may not know they are also on a variety of citrus fruit trees; oranges, grapefruits, lemon, limes. I grew up never knowing there were vicious thorns on orange trees. I have learned there are thorn-less varieties available, but they typically produce less fruit. I thought that was interesting especially when considering our Promise for Today.

Sometimes, it seems we have to be among the thorns in order to gather the fruit in our lives. According to God's Word, it is in the midst of affliction where we learn about and experience God's comfort and compassion. The same comfort that we are to offer to others in their afflictions. However, the Truth is we can't offer what we've never had... The heart of compassion for others grows in us among the thorns (the afflictions of life), but only if and when we hear His Word and we don't let the thorns choke it out of us. That's how and where we find the ability to give thanks in the thorns.

2nd Corinthians 1:3-4, Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. And we receive it there among the thorns...

Prayer:

Father,

           As long as You are with us, it is what is best for our lives... even in the thorns. Open our eyes to see the Truth of Your Word and to give thanks in ALL things. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen