Thorns or Berries?

This is an oil painting I did for my son Jacob several years ago. Gosh, he is now eleven; he was probably three or four when I did it. His first three words were Daddy, Momma and Bird. The title of the piece is Thorns or Berries. I am revisiting the thoughts behind this piece either because of my recent bird enamels, or perhaps my need to receive a lesson again. Most likely I need to receive the lesson again.



The idea or lesson for the painting came at a slower time in our lives. Sitting under our carport any time of the year is like sitting on the front row of a symphony orchestra only the musicians are birds. Jacob and I have always enjoyed watching and listening as the birds search for food and call out to their mates. As I watched, Jacob would sneak up on the Robins trying to get as close as he could with out disturbing them. Painting has always been my way to get closer to the subject of my intrigue. Of course the birds would quickly fly away zooming back to their nests or what they considered a safe perch. I became amazed by where the birds chose to live and perch; a holly bush laden with ridged, prickly leaves or a thorny rose bush stem. I find it amazing to watch a bird so gracefully fly into the tiniest of openings in a thorn bush. How can a bird find the smooth spot on a rose stem?

So where's my lesson? Believe me, I found many lessons in this one reflection, but I will try to keep it simple & go with what seems the obvious.


Faith is a verb.


Can I travel through the ugly, threatening, scary, hard stuff to make a soft landing where I can find comfort and security?


Day in and day out, regardless to the weather, the birds are looking for food, finding their way back home and singing! PS. 84:3 Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young.


What defines me today? Am I choosing thorns over berries? Pain over sustaining life?


Faith is a verb. I choose to do it, live it, move on knowing sustaining security, relationship and life live in me, even if I sometimes have a huge thorn bush at my doorstep.