Or so I thought.
I was dutifully observing Labor Day by cleaning out sticker-laden brush from the back yard when I felt the annoying pain of something foreign going down into my toenail. I couldn’t see anything so decided I’d only had a slight run-in with a thorn and had nothing to worry about.
Before long however, the crazy toe began to throb and demand attention. Out came the tweezers and hydrogen peroxide and a stubborn determination to take care of this on my own. But no amount of digging and tweezing could extract the little bugger and I had to seek the professional help of my doctor. Ten minutes and five sterilized instrument packets later, a ¼ inch thorn was extracted and lay posed for an i-Phone photo shoot.
It was a good reminder of how little things can sure get under my skin and infect my whole outlook on life.
As we expand the ministry of Re-Ignite to more participants we are continually confronted with how important it is to deal with some of the little thorns. Sometimes we need to consider forgiveness, other times issues of trust and faith. Stepping forward to what is ahead in the next stage of life is less painful if there are no imbedded and festering barbs.
So a little thorn has taught me some deep and soul-searching lessons.
I have also learned to wear shoes when gardening.
by Leona Bergstrom, Director, Re-Ignite
