I shouldn’t tell you this little episode I had… this little “run-in” I had… with a cactus. I doesn’t reflect well on me. But I can’t seem to get it out of my mind… or my finger, for that matter. It seems to be an idea that has “stuck” with me, so to speak. So I will share it with you, in hopes that you will learn from my mistakes.
I was just walking along, minding my own business, enjoying my jaunt along the bay, as I usually do. Not a care in the world. I regularly pass a long strip of land that is bordered by a hedge of cacti. Unusual choice for a hedge, but we live in South Texas…so it works. The day was brilliant and cool and every living thing wanted to stretch it arms to the sky… in praise to the Creator. So I’m walking by this row of cacti, and they are doing just that. Flapping their big, broad “pads” as they are called, waving them like big hands. Stretched out over the sidewalk, they looked like bystanders at a marathon, cheering me on. So I did what anyone would do. I gave them a “high-five”. Each one of them. I smacked each fat, flat hand that reached out in my direction. It was awesome. I was in the race, and they were the support team, the great cloud of witnesses – testifying to all how great it is to be walking this road.
To my defense, I had already studied this “spineless” variety of cactus, its nubby bumps and bulbous flowers. I was pretty sure it was safe to engage, tactilely. But I can now say with certainty … do not smack a cactus. It wasn’t a few yards down the road when I became conscious of that niggling sensation that somehow I had been stung. These “spineless” varieties actually do have very small, imperceptible thorns. You just can”t see them. As I say, this persistent thorn in my flesh has stuck with me ever since. But I have learned a lesson.
Conventional wisdom should generally be heeded. If you smack a cactus, you are likely to get a thorn. Touch a hot stove, you can get burned. What is that other expression?… lay down with dogs, wake up with fleas? And on and on. Somehow we hear our grandmother’s voice in all of these things. Why is it that we think we can somehow beat the odds? Why do we sometimes ignore the general guidelines for healthy living, and think somehow we are exempt from repercussions and consequences? Arrogance maybe? Invincibility? or maybe just willful short-sightedness.
“Listen my child, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. They will be a garland of grace to your head…” (Proverbs 1:8). I often find myself giving wise counsel to my children, out of sheer desire for their well being. I want to give them the benefit of my own hard-fought victories and failures, so they can avoid the pitfalls and their road will be a little smoother. I can’t guarantee they listen. They will no doubt have to smack a few cacti too in their lifetime… just ‘cause they want to… just ‘cause it seems like a awesome thing to do…just because they weren’t thinking.
I guess we all do that. Proverbs 16:25 says “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” Or thorns. Thankfully, there is provision for our propensity. When the apostle Paul complained to the Lord that he had a thorn in his flesh, he learned this timeless truth. God said, “My grace is sufficient for you.” (2 Corinthians 12:9). His grace is the remedy to our thorn. In His grace, there is forgiveness, there is understanding and there is the opportunity to try again. In His grace, there is power – power to outgrow our selfish and childish ways. It is sufficient. It is more than sufficient, it is a way of life.
Every time I inspect the thorn in my finger, I am reminded that I am learning and growing by God’s grace. I am also reminded that I do not walk this road in my own strength or wisdom. They say the thorn will work itself out of my flesh eventually. That would be God’s grace too. In the mean time, I still walk my road. I still have a strong inclination to high-five those “spineless” happy hands, but I don’t. I know this is a small victory for me, but growth in grace just the same. Blessings to you on your road too…may wisdom and knowledge be a garland of grace around your head.
“He is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair – every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.” Proverbs 2:7-10
“For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees, and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.” Deuteronomy 30:16