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“Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness. so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (NIV)

Have you ever experienced something in your life you did not choose? Something that will not go away and will stick with you the rest of your life! A thorn in your side?

One Type of Thorn

When I was ten years old, I was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. Something I did not choose, something that was not going to go away, and would change the rest of my life. My parents were devastated, but I was young enough I did not really understand what living with this “disease” was going to be like. I just knew I had to take insulin injections every day. My diet included not eating “sweets” or drinking sodas like the other kids. Sugar-free foods and sodas were not readily available as they are today, but my mom did a wonderful job fixing “special” foods so I could feel as “normal” as possible.

That was many years ago and this “thorn in my side” has not gone away! I must admit there are days when I wish I had never heard of “diabetes”, counting carbs, eating on time, glucose readings, insulin injections, complications, and all that goes with it! But His “grace” has been sufficient and He has walked this journey with me for thousands of days!!

Another Type of Thorn

Perhaps my journey of widowhood could be compared to my journey with diabetes. It is not something I would choose, it is not going to go away, and it certainly has changed my life forever!

I surely thought God was “wrong”. Did He forget how much I depended on my husband? My husband was there for me, everyday, twenty-four hours a day, watching over me and making sure I was OK? Did He forget my husband was the love of my life and my best friend?

Well, it’s been a while since my husband’s journey to Heaven and again God’s “grace” has been sufficient every day – He has been there with me every step of this journey – twenty-four hours a day – helping me handle things I never thought I could do!

I miss my husband more than I can express to you. He was by my side all of the time, loving me, and watching over me! I may not like these “thorns” of diabetes and widowhood I have to cope with, but just as Paul said in II Corinthians 12:10, “Since I know it is all for Christ’s good, I am quite happy about “the thorn”, and about insults and hardships, persecutions and difficulties, for when I am weak, then I am strong – the less I have, the more I depend on Him.”

God knows what is best for me. He knows I am not strong enough to handle these “thorns” on my own. Seeing the big picture, the finished side of the tapestry, He loves me. If He chooses not to remove these “thorns” in my life, I need to understand that He still has my best interest in His hands. I need to accept that, thank Him, and continue trusting Him to get me through each step of the journey.

If God brings us to it, He will bring us through it!

Lord, help me to accept the “thorns” You place in my life. Help me to never forget that “when I am weak, I am strong” and You are there with me all of the time. Amen