EXPLORING THE IDEA OF THORNS
Abraham Lincoln once said, “We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.”
by Christina Rossetti (1830-1894)
Hope is like a harebell, trembling from its birth;
Love is like a rose, the joy of all the earth.
Faith is like a lily, lifted high and white;
Love is like a lovely rose, the world’s delight.
Harebells and sweet lilies show a thornless growth,
But the rose with all its thorns excels them both.
Like the Apostle Paul, I have repeatedly asked God to remove the thorn of pain from my life.
“… so I wouldn’t get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap (thorn) to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan’s angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn’t think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me,
“My grace is enough; it’s all you need.
My strength comes into its own in your weakness.”
Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.” (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)
My own poem below is sharp with a thorn.
DON’T CALL ME COURAGEOUS
don’t call me courageous
that title belongs to those
who make a choice
to move, or take action
brave? not me
there is nothing I have done
but breathe, or gasp
eyes briefly shut
till the worst of it
passes, dauntless? no
I have simply survived
another moment
another day
I press on, stretch slow
inquire of and lean into my Lord
my petition simple, aching
remove this thorn
or pour out more grace
as You will
that I might best serve You
IDEAS TO SPARK YOUR POEM:
- Is there a thorn you can write about? Perhaps you have been hiding it. What is the shape of it? What is the feel of it?
- Can you think of what other things are as sharp as thorns? List them. Use them in your poem.
- Think of the roses in your life. Would you forsake the roses to escape the thorns?
- Let your words speak directly to the thorn. What would you ask it?
- What would God say to the thorn?
These questions are just to get you started. Sit with the word “thorn” for a bit. Then allow your words to find their own way. Follow them. And when they find their voice, share them with dear ones.
Karin Fendick
Contributing Writer
Karin is a handmaiden of the Lord, saved by grace, a worshiper, a poet, a broken heart, a lover of words, His work in progress on the Potter's wheel. She is hungry for truth and amazed by love. After five years in Africa, Karin and Rick (her beloved husband of almost twenty-five years), are back in rural Canada, where chronic pain drives her to the feet of Jesus. She is powered by prayer, love, and many cups of strong coffee. She is the author of From Ashes to Glory (A Psalm a Day).
Stewardship of Courage
The stewardship of courage begins with a deep faith in God, accessed by prayer, and lived out in patient waiting and hopeful trust.
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