As I wrote in my previous post, thorns are a good thing(to borrow Martha Stewart's phrase). We should seek Him in all things, not just things that satisfy our 'terms' or ideals of beauty. God made all things, and the expulsion from the Garden was not without hope. He promised us redemption through the seed of a woman in Genesis 3:15.
As I have gotten older I find myself more and more in reflective thoughts of Him. It is actually funny, because in Him I have comfort and rest, and here combating the thorn bushes, the cacti, the sand, the wind, and the minimal water, I often need rest.
As I helped the family remove the thorns and pull out the barbs, I was struck by the final week of Jesus and no longer the promise of a Redeemer, but one that paid in full
our debts. As I walk this barren land I feel Him, and His gift. I feel that I am humbly being reminded that these thorns that He created(John 1:3)were the very thorns that the soldiers plaited into a crown of thorns and put upon His head.(Matthew 27:29).
That is when I realized that I could share this with my dear friends in blog-land. I twisted the thorn branch into a crown and immediately saw
the crown. I carefully clipped branch after branch and twisted them and affixed the wire to create a crown. A crown that I am sending to each one of you that emailed me your address. I struggled with whether I would share what I was sending, because I genuinely wished for this to be a surprise gift, but it is a thorny pokey item, so I wanted to allow you to see it, so when it arrives, you will open cautiously. I have hung this up in my family room, to remind me often(as if the outdoors doesn't) that He is in all things.

In all things, think of Him...the completed crown.

Here are three branches ready to be twisted and bent into shape. No matter which way I twisted or moved the branch, some part of me felt the thorns.

As we have been cleaning up the property, I found this balled up wire, and thought, maybe we can use this. The I realized that even the wire to secure the crown, was provided on this humble land!

Here are a few hanging to dry a bit in the sun. I cut *green* branches because they could be twisted. The seasoned old Mesquite and its thorny branches often act like a magnet when you walk by. You think that you are not going to touch the branches and bam, you get 'slapped'!
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Two important things to mention:
~If you are wondering what I meant by our debts were paid, or have any questions about this post, feel free to email me at mcbenningministries(at)yahoo(dot)com.
~If you did not send me an email with your address to receive this crown, it is not too late, email me at penofjen(at)yahoo(dot)com...and leave in the subject farm gift.