Day 12, more than a thorn in my side
Determined to make it out of the house this morning, though Satan attacked me with a headache and a dead battery, I went out to the church's land for a walk and a sit.
I walked slowly at first, with headphones on listening to a sermon but remembering not a drop.
Until I came to a path I had not been down before. About 100 yards in there was an old tree. Beyond the tree was a briar patch. The path seemed to pick back up on the other side of the briars. I plunged in. About 10 feet in I could see that the patch was bigger than I thought but I was stupidly determined. When I realized the size and severity of the situation it was too late for turning around. The thorns went right through my thin pants, got snarled in my hair and wrapped around my bare ankles. The pain was tremendous. My eyes watered and I bit my lip. I would not cry.
The patch had grown up over a pile of clear cut trees which had been left behind. I was balanced on top of the rotting logs praying they wouldn't send me face first into brambles or worse. It was getting warm. Reptiles will come out on warm days. This was rattlesnake heaven.
Through out the ordeal the song, "born and bred in a briar patch" and the picture of the crown of thorns beings crushed on to Christ's forehead kept flashing through my mind. I'm afraid, I only wanted out.
When I finally reached the edge my legs were bloody and my head was throbbing. I calmed myself and walked on. Another sermon, this one I remember. "God is with you through the hard times. He was with Daniel in the Lion's den. He was with Mosses and the Israelites when they crossed the Red sea. He was with Noah during the flood and He is with you too." I know that's right!
I turned my headset to a classic rock station and danced my way back to the car.
God is so good!
