Thorns or Roses
Go back with me in your mind to a simpler time. Back to a time when things seemed to go at a much slower pace than what we are accustomed to. Imagine two boys in the summer time, looking for something to do. They come across a blackberry thicket and stop to pick a few berries to eat. One of them remarked, “Aren’t they sweet!” “I guess so,” the other replied, “but they’re full of seeds.” The two boys go on their way and see a rose garden in the neighbor’s yard. The first boy exclaimed, “Look at those big beautiful red roses!” The other boy commented, “They’re full of thorns!” It is a warm day, so they walk to a corner store for a soft drink. After several swallows, the second youngster complained, “My bottle’s half-empty already.” The first boy quickly spoke up and said, “Mine’s still half-full.” I wonder where we are in our thinking. Are we much like the negative-thinking boy in this story? Are we always looking at life, work, or the church through dark glasses? There is an interesting verse from God that should make us think before we complain. The verse is Numbers 11:1; “When the people complained, it displeased the Lord…” It seems that the Israelites complained and grumbled when they should have been praising the Lord for His gracious provision. They had forgotten their marvelous deliverance from bondage and the way God provided for them in the wilderness. I am so thankful that there are many who are not complainers. There are so many wonderful people who concentrate on the bright side and are radiant, happy, and grateful. They are realistic about the somber side of life, but they don’t pout and fret all the time. If you are a complainer and desire to overcome negative thinking, you can!! No matter who you are or what your circumstances, there’s always much to be grateful for. Think about God’s love for you. Praise Him for His providential care. Try sharing this love with others and let them know how much God has done for you personally. Then instead of complaining about thorns, you’ll be thankful for the roses. I want to leave each of us with a thought I once read; “Instead of grumbling because you don’t get what you want, be thankful you don’t get what you deserve.”