Being a human life descended from the garden mess makes it easy for me to focus on the thorns instead of the roses. I will refrain from writing a long essay on my thorns. It would only bore you, and you would find it all too familiar to your own story.

Before I launch into the good, allow me to make a disclaimer for the benefit of trials we face in life.

For the past twelve years, I have made it a practice to read my Bible cover to cover on an annual basis. When I read and re-read God’s entire story, it helps me to see the greater picture and refrain from focus on the insignificant.

This year I am reading from my Portuguese Bible. I find it refreshing. This morning as I read Proverbs 20:30, I found a valuable nugget of wisdom. The Portuguese version translates the verse as, “Blows and bad things that come my way grow my character.”

It is often hard to look back at the trials and be thankful. I wish I had spent more of my life reflecting on the ways God blesses me with thorns.

In insightful times, I realize the benefit of the blows when bad things came my way. However—at the moment—I want to remember the good life that is mine because of my attempt to see my life become God’s life for me. I live among thick green grass and beautiful roses.

I was born into a family that followed God. It was not of my doing. I had nothing to say about where and to whom I would be born. It was nothing short of a blessing direct from God. I grew to adulthood within a community of God-followers. It was not of my doing. It was nothing short of a blessing from God. I received a wonderful education within a university of godly professors. It was not of my doing. It was nothing short of a blessing from God.

As a young man, I received the opportunity to live in Brazil. My coworkers, both American and Brazilian became life-long friends. It was in Brazil where I met my wife of the past 41 years. It was nothing short of the blessing of God. My children have blessed me more ways than I can count. They too were from God.

For over four decades, I worked with others to plant churches among Portuguese and Spanish-speaking people. It was nothing short of a blessing from God.

For 65 years, often in the face of great difficulty, God has taken care of me. Today, as I reflect upon finishing my time on earth—however long or short that time may be—I am confident of both thorns and roses yet to come my way.

Through it all when the light of my earthly walk goes out, I want to be able to affirm that living God’s way of life is good life. Just think how good the restored garden will be.

What are your reflections?

Stay tuned. – Gary Sorrells