Thorn in the Flesh
The wall in our new home backs up to a community area and the bougainvillea from the other side has been climbing over into our yard. We reported it to the Home Owners' Association (HOA) and reminded the landscapers when they were working in the area. My husband even told our security guard as he drove through our neighborhood, who said to cut it off and throw it over the wall for landscaping to clean up. My husband didn't want to get into trouble with the HOA by cutting plants that didn't belong to us.
Today as I let the dog out, I eyed clippers on the patio table. It was time to take action. I was dressed in my robe and slippers and began cutting away at the errant plant. Everything was fine until I couldn't reach some of the taller branches. I began to get agitated that I was doing this clipping and grabbed our pool brush to pull the tall vines toward me. Then sudden pain shot through my foot! I had stepped on one of the branches and a long, strong bougainvillea thorn had pierced my slipper and my foot.
Immediately, I realized that the thorn in my flesh was a reminder from God that I had taken something into my hands that was not my concern. Then, I got mad about having to do the work as it got more difficult, even though I shouldn't have been doing it in the first place! Often for me, the Lord allows pain to get my attention. Not because He isn't loving, but because He is and he knows His children individually. For me, I joke that I'm a 2x4 learner. I require a "smack upside the head" to get me to stop and think and then ultimately to help me remember the lesson I have experienced (and hopefully, not to repeat it).
Today as I let the dog out, I eyed clippers on the patio table. It was time to take action. I was dressed in my robe and slippers and began cutting away at the errant plant. Everything was fine until I couldn't reach some of the taller branches. I began to get agitated that I was doing this clipping and grabbed our pool brush to pull the tall vines toward me. Then sudden pain shot through my foot! I had stepped on one of the branches and a long, strong bougainvillea thorn had pierced my slipper and my foot.
Immediately, I realized that the thorn in my flesh was a reminder from God that I had taken something into my hands that was not my concern. Then, I got mad about having to do the work as it got more difficult, even though I shouldn't have been doing it in the first place! Often for me, the Lord allows pain to get my attention. Not because He isn't loving, but because He is and he knows His children individually. For me, I joke that I'm a 2x4 learner. I require a "smack upside the head" to get me to stop and think and then ultimately to help me remember the lesson I have experienced (and hopefully, not to repeat it).
2 Corinthians 12:7
Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.
Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.
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