Beautiful Gifts...

A dear friend gave this poem to me, and I thought I would share it with you all. It touched so close to home for me it made me cry inside. I hope it blesses you like it did me.

I stood a mendicant of God before His royal throne,
and begged Him for one priceless gift which I could call my own.
I took the gift from out His hand but as I would depart,
I cried "but LORD this is a thorn and it has pierced my heat!
... This is a strange and hurtful gift which thou hast given me."
He said "my child, I give good gifts and gave my best to thee."
I took it home and though at first the cruel thorn hurt sore.
As long years passed I learned at last to love it more and more.
I learned He never gives a thorn without this added grace.
He takes the thorn to pin aside the veil which hides His face.

We so often look at circumstances in our lives as hurtful, and painful trials. We gripe and grumble about these misfortunes we have been given, and are not thankful for what God is doing in our lives. These "thorns" that we are given are so priceless! They draw us closer to our dear Savior, and make us more like Jesus. Unless of course we are ungrateful for them, and buck what God is doing in our life. I pray that God will make me more thankful for EVERYTHING in my life!

For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
~ Revelation 7:17