A Rose with Thorns? Or Thorns with a Rose?

Since my last update, I have gone through a few different events where I feel this statement sums it up: Does a rose have thorns… or do thorns have a rose?

It makes me think of the common phrase, “Do you see the glass half full or half empty?” Even though some people answer one or the other, some may give the witty answer, “I’m happy I at least have a glass.”

St. Paul mentions in 2 Corinthians 12 his thorn in the flesh. I mentioned in one of my updates that there is someone here who is my thorn in my flesh. I’ve realized we constantly discover these "thorns", consciously or unconsciously, and they help us grow deeper in Christ. They help us grow stronger and finally help us press into Christ and his love and mercy.

When I think of a thorn, it doesn’t seem to pleasant. I think of pain, bleeding, having to dig it out after it sticks in my finger. But the beautiful part is that the most common place we see thorns is on a rose. And we enjoy roses for so many occasions: love, birthdays, anniversaries, just-because-days, etc. The rose is what we normally enjoy, not the thorn. In fact, many of us will cut off the thorns so we DON’T hurt ourselves… not realizing the importance of the thorns… that they supply and hold water to the rose. Even if we put the rose in water, the rose won’t get as much as it would have with the thorns attached.

It’s the same for us… for me at least. So many times I try to ignore or get rid of the pain and suffering in my life. And I’m not only talking about physical. I’m also talking about those people who I can’t stand, the situations in life which I can’t control, etc. The things that just irk me… the things that would remind me of a splinter/thorn under the flesh. I think, “Lord, can’t I just have the rose? Why the thorns too??” While I may not get the answer, He knows the reason. He is the Creator, the One who put together the Divine Plan. He knows how the “thorns” in my life cooperate and work together with the “roses” in my life… or with anything else for that matter.
So up comes the question from the beginning: is your life a rose with thorns… or is it thorns with a rose? It may seem the same thing, but if you think about it, there is a difference… at least in my mind there is