Living with Thorns

As I've been on a journey of suffering with a brother and mother with cancer, the Lord has used many authors to encourage me on this journey. The most recent book that I've read is Living with Thorns. The author, Mary Ann Froehlich gives several steps for survival in a thorny life. Under the points I share my own journey and thoughts.

1. Mourn and seek God
At first all I could do was cry for the first few months. Sometimes I couldn't even pray. It was hard to read huge chunks of scripture like I was used to doing.


2. Trust that God will rebuild your life

3. Engage in honest communication with God pouring out your heart
I got real with God including just confessing that I didn't even believe the Bible some days and asking Him to forgive me and cleanse me of such unbelief.

4. Be open to God's honesty by reading entire books of the Bible
Eventually after several months I'm now able to do this for which I am so thankful to God. In fact just started Hebrews PUP Part II and am loving it. The journey is by no means over, but I know that God is with me in fresh new ways.

5. Allign your visions and goals with God's visions and goal
I have totally laid down all my dreams even in ministry. I am truly living one day at at time serving my husband and family as the Lord leads


6. Understand your family's thorns
Learning to ask my family questions about their lives including their loves and things about growing up that shaped them. Why have I waited so long to do this? I guess just plain preoccupied with myself and plans all these years.

7. Practice daily forgiveness
As I reflect on my past and the disappointments and expectations I had for others even my husband and just plain confess them and ask God's forgiveness, I'm sensing God refreshment all over again.

8. Confess envy, resentment, bitterness
For years I've carried bitterness that we couldn't have our own children and watching over and over when in prison ministry especially all the unwed mothers having loads of children. Someday I'll really see God's love in this and not feel punished. But now I'm trusting this fact by faith.

9. Take care of yourself and find true rest
God Himself has made me to lay down in green pastures. I do not have a job and am so thankful, so that I can be involved in my families lives. God even provided a company car for Dave so I have transportation to visit them.

10. Make music to God
God has given me a song in the night and continues to do so. I especially love Christmas and am loving the classics and old hymns.

11. Invest in deep and intimate lifeline relationships
The Lord in His awesome grace has provided just the right people for such a season to come alongside of me in prayer and encouragement for which I am so grateful.

In the book Mary Ann gives Biblical examples and current day Christians who have shared awesome insights as well. Some of them are Elizabeth Elliott, Joni Ereackson Tada, Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Margaret Clarkson to name a few. I had a few theological differences but overall I recommend it to any looking for comfort in a thorny life.