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Roses and Thorns
The question really should have been "To Simplify, or NOT to Simplify." I find myself
looking at another crossroads. The youngin' in me wants an iPhone, a flat screen TV, iPad, a
new washing machine, a new car, a new belly (my waistline's warranty appears to have run
out!?!). And the working-too-much-guy in me doesn't want to mow such a big lawn, de-weed so
much landscaping, fold so much laundry, wash so many dishes.
I'm trying to figure out when I actually realized I "grew up?"
Of course, being recently educated on the finer points on the latest kid craze Beyblade on
Cartoon Network doesn't help my younger karma (and my son is an addict to "blading" and
earned his first spinning toy "top" called Pegasus). As of 2 weeks ago, I'd never heard of
Beyblade...
When my parents asked me what I needed for my upcoming birthday (I'm turning 22 *again* this
year ;-) I could honestly think that we're so very blessed that truly the word "Need" is
wrong. Lots of stuff I "want". But really, in the bigger picture, our family needs very
little. Of course, being a guy I *did* tell my dad there's really only one thing I'd
*really* like for my birthday and only Hot Momma Charlene was able to honor ;-) But truly,
God reminds me almost daily how blessed our family is. Not easy, mind you.
And certainly not without challenges.
In my back yard I'm taking out a Rose bush, and after a week of pruning it still remains. I
WILL win the war, but the battle is quite bloody. Literally. You see, I just want to mow.
I want to have a grassy yard for the kids to go crazy in and mow. Nothing fancy. But this
is not a rose bush. It's Satan's-Barbs-of-Flesh-Eating-Death-Rose-Bush-From-Hell. The
*thorns* have thorns. I'm convinced the Fallen Angel himself planted this bush with the
previous owners (who have a penchant for prickly things like azaleas, holly-like something,
and more). [Editors note: I think Satan gets WAAAAY to much credit for most things in this
world, but I KNOW I hear demonic voices in MY rose bush that laughs at me with each prickly
point. I'm sure YOUR rose bush is just fine, though.]
And every night I come in with fresh wounds from the pruning battle field, boo-hoo'ing and
woe-is-me'ing and being a big ol' baby. But in the God-given serenity called the shower (I
sincerely pray Heaven has a big ol' shower), I was struck by other thoughts. We have a good
friend who found *another* "lump" in her breast. Again. A couple in our Life group is about
to get divorced. Tornados killed 300+ people THIS week, and left hundreds with literally no
homes. Japenese people will be dying from radiation illnesses for generations to come.
Syrian, Afghanistan, and Pakiston people lost their lives today.
So I can't help but feel Life is one big God-Made-Your-Rose-Bush. Pain and sorrow are
necessary to truly appreciate joy and happiness. Or as I read recently, what would your Life
be like if you were 100% on a morphine drip forever? Like my grandfather was his last days.
Oblivious, but without pain. With life but no LIFE. This doesn't make the thorns any less painful.
I only pray that they make the roses all the more beautiful when the Creator beckons them to bloom.
But not for my hell-spawn bush at my house, of course. THAT one's goin' down. Victory is
assured. My Will will prevail. I scoff at the dreaded thorns as unworthy adversaries. Ha.
Ha HA. Of course, the poison ivy I contracted during the last battle was an unpleasant
surprise. That Lucifer - he's a wiley one. Of COURSE he knew years before we bought the
house I'd be out there like an idiot in shorts whackin' away. Again, I'm sure YOUR rose bush
is A-OK, though.
As for the thorny scratches, well, I'd take them ANY day over lumps in my breast (men can get
that too). Or coming home to no house demolished and sprayed across 100 yards. Or losing a
son. Human nature is quite the paradox. Thank the Lord that God is NOT. If the world
worked according to Brian, we'd be REALLY messed up :-)
And there'd be a LOT more LEGO(R) bricks...
Sincerely,
Brian Meny
Little Lords and Ladies
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