It was a room full of cactus; I remember being amazed at all the different varieties of thorns, barbs, spikes, spines, and needles.  The temperature was very hot, around 100 degrees (but it was a dry heat) and I was miserable.  I photograph each one and was very careful to give each the respect it deserved.  Then I spot the cutest little cactus you have ever seen.  The thorns were soft and silky looking, and resembled the waves on an ocean rolling over the plant.  You could just tell by looking at this handsome plant, it was harmless.

          Ignorance was such bliss.  But the cruel reality struck home as I ever so gently rubbed my index finger over the beautiful, yet wicked plant.  At first I did not feel a thing; everything was normal, until my finger began to tingle.  Then came my second mistake, I rubbed my fingers together.  Ouch!  @&#>$%^*<&*…  Days later I was still trying to remove my awful souvenirs from this brutal field trip.

          Pain, trouble, heartache, sorrow, tears; these are the common denominators of each of our lives.  We shall all have to face things in our lives that will shake us down to our very core.  We were never promised a life free from tears, right the opposite is true; we shall all face times of testing, days of darkness and symphonies of suffering.  But one thing we were promised; never to be alone in our pain.  We have someone who loves us and only wants the best for us.  Each thorn that pierces our heart is felt in heaven and can be used here on earth for our good.

          We can be sure of one thing; each difficulty we face will one day prove a blessing to us. Often life’s greatest barriers become life’s greatest blessings.  We may not understand it now, but we can rest assured that all things will one day work out for our good.  One day we will be thankful for the thorn that caused the tear in our eye.  Now it is painful; now we do not understand; now we are confused and ask why; but on that day we will stand amazed and say, WOW!  I am a better person because of the thorn.  When outward strength is broken, faith rests on the promises. In the midst of sorrow, faith draws the sting out of every trouble and takes out the bitterness from every affliction.

Something to think about:

• God does not comfort us to make us comfortable, but to make us comforters.

• Thank you, Father, for these tears that have carried me to the depth of your love. How could I have known your fullness without the emptiness, your acceptance without the rejection, your forgiveness without my failure, our togetherness without that dreadful loneliness? You have brought me to Gethsemane, and oh, the joy of finding you already there! Amen.

• Why does God bring thunderclouds and disasters when we want green pastures and still waters? Bit by bit we find, behind the clouds, the Father’s feet; behind the lightning, an abiding day that has no night; behind the thunder, a still, small voice that comforts with a comfort that is unspeakable.

• God will take care of what you go through; you take care of how you go through it.

Your friend in trouble
Rickey Moore