Good Morning, God!  I’m just back from my Saturday morning trip to the Farmers’ Market — and I was taking photos on the way.  We walked past a cactus garden and I took pictures of spine covered palms and barrel cactus and agaves and so forth. But, God, it was this plant that caught my eye.  Why?  Because it seemed so clear that its leaves were welcoming Your Light.  They are broad and oriented toward the light.
Then I thought about the cacti . . . leaves? Do they HAVE leaves?  Or is it only thorns?

Aaah, plants that HAVE WATER can afford to support leaves!  Plants that have developed with very little water can’t afford leaves!  In Arizona the Palo Verde trees have narrow leaves and the trunk itself is green in order to extract the most nourishment from the light.

And, perhaps water can symbolize love.  People with a dependable source of love can afford to spread out tender leaves toward You and Your Light.  But when water/love is scarce — people like plants — might think thorns are a better choice.  Thorns to protect what they have.  Hm. I have been blessed.  Lots of water/love flowing through me.  Gosh, God, blessed makes it sound like I deserve the blessing. Lucky?

And here is the REAL question, God. . . WHAT ABOUT THE UNLUCKY?  What about the poor children of the world?  Then I see the impoverished children of Swaziland — joyful at little things.  Children carried on the backs of moms and sisters for years . . . children clearly loved . . . watered with love even when the water from the ground is polluted and unhealthy.  So unlucky HOW?  Poverty comes in many different forms, doesn’t it God.

And as for me, God?  Maybe I need to appreciate that cacti are built to absorb a lot of LIGHT!  They also make the very best use
of the water they get.  Humph.  And to think I have failed all these years to appreciate cacti.  I was focused on the protective thorns.  (You say that I have thorns, too?  That we are designed to be able to protect ourselves?)  I wasn’t impressed by the amount of light they could absorb and their clever use of water.

And now I am thinking about how You even things out.  Harsh environments call forth resourcefulness.  Sigh.  In a society that adores EASY, resourcefulness and resiliency don’t get a whole lot of respect. . . or even noticed.

I’d ask to be more resilient . . . but I’m pretty sure I’d find the path . . . HARD.
And, now, God, a BIG SIGH!  Please, help me to choose wisely.  Even if it is HARD!
Thank You, God.  Thank You for being TRUSTWORTHY!