Out of difficulties grow miracles.
Jean de la Bruyere
(thistle / Julie Cook / 2016)
Throughout our lives we will each encounter thorns…
Moments and experiences that are laced with those more troubling struggles which are simply unavoidable.
These encounters will obviously be uncomfortable, earth shattering and more often than not,
unbearably painful…
Such encounters will range from mildly irritating and bothersome,
to excruciatingly sharp, piercing and even most torturous.
Yet within each of these uncomfortable and painful encounters…
resides a mystery…
A mystery of rare, unexplainable and even unimaginable beauty…
Moments of pain and sorrow,
suffering and agony…
which are actually honed by the miraculous…
For from these enigmatic encounters…
those irritatingly painful experiences caused by the thorns scattered within our lives,
emerges a hidden majesty and beauty.
It is the blacksmith who must anneal his metals…
making them stronger by the raging fires of the furnace…
following each pass into the furnace, the metal’s trial by fire, comes the process of tempering the steel..
The hammering and beating of the heated and softened metal into a strong composition ready to withstand the rigors of use….
Within these difficult encounters of suffering, heartache and frustration, resides the mystery of our beauty and of our strength…
We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed;
perplexed, but not driven to despair;
persecuted, but not forsaken;
struck down, but not destroyed;
2 Corinthians 4:8-9
cookiecrumbstoliveby 
Julie, this is so beautiful and inspirational. Yes, our hope and our strength is in our Lord. Thanks be to God! Blessings and prayers.
claiming it as I go Lynda 🙂
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.Corinthians 10:13
God will never allow temptation to overcome you. He will give you an answer. Prayers and hugs coming to you, sweet Yoda!
Amen Jarjar, amen!! Thank you for your supporting force– it’s a new week, a new day with new perspectives for the new challenges– I am supported by those immortal words of St Julian of Norwich– all shall be well, all shall be well, all manner of thing shall be well!!! May His force be with you 🙂
My prayer is not only that you are able to find His peace amidst the storm, but that you also literally feel the sincere support of so many who love you!
And that my dear is what sustains me ☺️
Julie this is inspiring, and beautiful.
Thank you very much for your kind words
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
This is pure genius! It will be shared tomorrow. Love you and hope it has been a better day. 🙂 ❤
Reblogged this on Sacred Touches.