Thanksgiving: Thorns and the Rose

"For the seasons when joy is the river,

for the seasons when no water flows,

we trust You that You are the Giver

of either the thorns or the rose."

It’s been days since the last time we sang this piece and still the beautiful words ring repeatedly in my heart. We have to admit, our earthly nature finds it easier to consider blessings out from things that only bring us pleasure. It’s hard to swallow the bitter pills in life. It’s hard to accept defeat, disappointments and mischief. While most of our prayers eye for better comfort, the Lord wants to keep us strong in the midst of the storm.    

I lived fourteen months overseas for work. Nine months of which fell in 2014. Less those limited days I was able to grab and spend at home, life alone in the place of strangers defined exactly what I do not want for myself – to be away from the church. Taken out from the pile of burning coals, I felt coldness which I’ve never experienced before. I became just one stranger observing how things go inside a church where I can’t do anything but listen to the preacher, shake hands with people I barely know, softly sing the familiar songs that their choir sing. There I found the perfect picture of being the most passive Christian, in myself. Those were the days when I feared God’s coming back and even my own death. I feared facing the Lord in my most inutile state as a believer. I feared of Him getting much disappointment in me for another wasted time which I should have spent serving him.

Until one day, our prayers were answered. I was sent back home nine months earlier than planned. The thirst was cured. In the plane, I felt God’s comfort as soon as the city vanished after the take off. I can’t withdraw being grateful for the thorns in green pasture that promised me material comfort for a while but with the people I love the most and with the church where I can be someone useful for the Lord, I can gladly say that there’s no place I would rather be. And I can’t be happier enough to be able to spend the year-end thanksgiving with the church so dear to my heart along with the other half which we pray to be soon called our own in God’s time.

After braving the storm, thanking God truly never sounded as sweet as before!

Posted in: life that is,making sense of life,thanksgiving