Sunday reflection: Thorns

Today's reflection is brought to you by 

2 Corinthians 12:7-10.

Creator of all things,

don't you think thorns a terrible mistake?

After all, 

they can't enhance the beauty of roses

in any meaningful way.

Holes in my flesh aren't helpful

when I'm presenting beauty to people I love.

And thorns in my life, 

like Paul writes about to the Corinthians?

I could definitely do without them.

Or could I?

My struggles,

faults, 

foibles, 

and failings

sometimes keep me awake at night,

and often make me feel foolish

and less than worthy

of your love.

But I guess that's the point (ha)

of those thorns.

Even if there were no thorns,

you find ways

to remind humanity

over and over

that you love us --

by the vast and beautiful world

you have given to us,

the true and good people

in our lives,

and the love 

with which you surround us.

Nothing I do

(or consistently fail to do, 

or mess up, 

or catastrophize)

can keep you from loving me.

My thorns are part of the package

that you have created.

And just like you gave roses thorns

not to beautify them further,

but to protect them 

from hungry mouths that would devour them,

you give me my thorns --

those things

that I fail to do, 

or consistently mess up, 

or catastrophize --

so that my ego doesn't devour me.

As much as my thorns,

weaknesses, 

insults, 

hardships, 

persecutions

and calamities

are a pain in the

wherever,

I often

learn from them

and learn to rely on you

because of them.

Keep me open to learning

even when 

those thorns are particularly

sharp.

Only you are the strength

in my weakness.

+Amen