Outward Appearances

This is a picture of a cactus plant we have in our backyard...a picture of "nothingness"...no beauty, no blossoms, no fragrance...in fact, if you reach out to touch it, it will hurt you - it has very sharp needles and some softer ones that can stay in your skin and hurt you for days. Yet, I can tell you that I have picked it's "leaves" and made some yummy and nutritious meals for our family. It, also, yields some yummy fruit - a cactus pear. We enjoy it's fruit, too.

Those that don't "know" this plant or are not "familiar" with it would probably not pay it any mind. In fact, they would probably not want it anywhere near their surroundings.

Are we like one of these cactus plants? Do we have people around us like this cactus plant?

I'm asking God to teach me to "see" past the hardness, the roughness, the "don't get near me" kind of masks that are all around me. I'm asking Him to give me His heart...that I may see as He sees; that I might hear what He hears...get past the walls that most people have build around themselves in order to self-protect.

I'm asking God that "I" would be real, vulnerable...that I would allow the walls that I have built around myself in order to self-protect be shattered by His Mercy, by His Grace, by His relentless, pursuing LOVE!

Is that fresh air I feel - can I, safely, breathe?
Is that touch - HIS touch - a safe touch - I sense?
Are those words - HIS words - trustworthy?

Hummmmm...I sense my walls are being shattered by LOVE♥ (a safe, unconditional LOVE♥)

What is ahead? I don't know, but I KNOW the One who holds my tomorrows in His very able, caring, loving hands.

I will rest in the Arms of LOVE♥