I took the picture of the thorns with the rose tucked inside last week. It symbolizes how I once kept my heart—tightly guarded. Do you have thorns wrapped around your heart? While they may seem protective, do they block the good things you wish to embrace? If so, remember, you’re not alone. Many have hardened their hearts, yet there’s always the potential for joy and renewal, a beacon of hope in the midst of struggle.
In my novel "Keatyn’s Journey," we follow the transformative path of the protagonist, Keatyn Griffin. Initially, she embodies misery, hatred, and selfishness, shaped by past hurts, into a person she struggles to recognize. Yet, beneath the surface, there exists a yearning for change. A tragic event brings her back to Pensacola Beach, where she encounters Gareth Davenport, a determined preacher who understands life’s challenges. Our last glimpse of Keatyn showed her in a decisive moment of emotional growth, studying with Gareth, hinting at the hope of a brighter future shaped by the transformative power of forgiveness.
Keatyn had thorns tightly wrapped around her heart. Removing those thorns would not be easy; she had to desire them to be clipped away. But did she?
In a sermon Keatyn heard, Gareth points out that we should look at our past with thanksgiving to God. He used the apostle Paul as a great example from Philippians 1:3-5.
"I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine, making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now,"
Paul looked back at his past with gratitude, not with regret or blame. He could have easily harbored resentment for how he and Silas had been treated in Philippi, but he chose not to. Remember that they were accused of promoting unlawful customs, as noted in Acts 16:21? If you continue reading, you'll find that they were beaten severely and thrown into jail.
I don't know about you, but I would have felt bitter about such mistreatment. However, if Paul had allowed his experiences to interfere with his mission of spreading the gospel, what impact would that have had on his soul?
What about our souls today? Should we allow our bitterness to impact the Lord’s work? Many do.
Can you imagine being mad at man and taking it out on God?
I’ve seen people get mad at man over something and leave the church. They say they’ll never darken the door again. How does that make any sense? Do these people realize they are taking their spite out on God?
As Gareth continued his sermon, he passionately emphasized that happiness is a choice. We can let life make us bitter or focus on the good and trust in God for everything. Happiness flows from a joyful heart. No one with bitterness and thorns surrounding their heart can genuinely experience true happiness. Not a single person.
Lesson From the Wicked Servant
A few days later, Keatyn approaches Gareth with questions about Matthew 18:35. At this point, she realizes that thorns are wrapped around her heart, which has prevented her from forgiving the one who had asked.
To get the full context, Gareth suggests starting with verse 21.
"Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" 22 Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. 23 "Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 "And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 "But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. 26 "The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, 'Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.' 27 "Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. 28 "But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, 'Pay me what you owe!' 29 "So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.' 30 "And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. 31 "So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. 32 "Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 33 'Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?' 34 "And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. 35 "So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses."
After the reading, Keatyn questions how we can know if someone is genuinely sorry.
Gareth responded with something like this, "If someone who has wronged you humbly asks for forgiveness, why would you judge their heart?"
It’s like a lightbulb went off in Keatyn’s head as she realized she should not judge the hearts of others.
“Do we expect God to forgive our debts?” Gareth asked.
Keatyn nods. Yes, we do.
What about in real life? God embraces His children with forgiveness when they genuinely repent. He never allows our past to define us or our actions to obstruct His grace. So why do we?
How quickly we sometimes forget to extend the same mercy God offers us to others. We cling to those thorns around our hearts like a lifeline.
Let’s read Ephesians 4:32:
"And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you."
Keatyn had allowed the thorns around her heart to destroy her peace, happiness, and well-being.
What about real life? Do we understand that hate, loss, and separation are tools of the devil?
Do we know that reconciliation, love, and unity are tools of God?
Keatyn faced a choice, and so do we. If you’re reading this, remember that God loves you. He desires for you to choose Him over the world. This isn’t a fictional tale; your choices today will shape your future.
We can embrace God or allow thorns to surround our hearts. I choose God. I choose to rise each day with a smile and a light heart.
What about you?
Reflect on the verses we've just explored and savor their significance. Commit to removing the thorns from your heart. This transformation will redefine your life.
I would know.
Love,
Leah
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