Iron Rose Sister Ministries

The sweltering heat and scorching sun did not deter my mom, my sister, and me from exploring the remaining blackberry bushes. Two weeks after their peak, we knew that the pickings would be slim, but the promise of fresh, juicy blackberries was enough motivation for us to brave the heat and the briars. Besides, we share many family memories that come from raspberry picking in Iowa with Grandpa and Grandma, and knew the fruit of our labor would be sweet.
Picking blackberries is a delicate endeavor. The thorns that scratched our arms, poked our fingers, and snagged our clothes discouraged us from reaching for the promised fruit.
As I braved forward, determined to taste more of the delicious berries, my arm began to shake. There was a moment in which I felt at the brink of an emotional breakdown—at the pain of a thorn bush! I had to force myself to continue to reach through the thorns. The battle was intense—between my physical body that wanted to protect me from more pain, and my desire to collect that one more, ripe blackberry.
Thankfully, I was not alone in my struggle. My mom, my sister, and I took turns holding onto each other for balance in order to reach a little bit further. We stepped on branches or held them back in order to clear a path for each other.
However, nursing my wounds the night after picking, I had quickly forgotten the sweetness of the day. The pain in my arm and the rash that broke out threatened to overshadow all of what was good and true—the delectable berries and the delight of the moments shared with family.
I fought to cling to the truth of the worth through the pain—the reward that is reaped when we persevere through difficult times.
If given the opportunity next year, I know that I will suffer through the thorns in order to harvest a bountiful supply of blackberries. And I know I will not go picking alone.
How many thorny situations or relationships have you faced? Do you recognize the worth of their fruit on the other side? And do you have someone to help you face the thorns?
In order to obtain the abundant life, we often have to deal with a lot of thorns.
Thorns can leave scars, and while we know that the wounds will heal, the initial pain can overshadow the truth of the blessings. And our fear can quickly overwhelm our faith.
Satan wants us to wallow in our pain, lose our faith, and fall into the trap of his lies. So, today, whether you’re feeling scraped, discouraged, or bruised, may we replace that lie with truth and remember the sweetness of the abundant life in Christ—one filled with faith, hope, and love.
Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns are all around you... (Ez. 2:6)
(photo credit: https://briarcroft.wordpress.com/2011/09/11/briers-and-thorns/)