Last night at dinner, my son said something to the effect, ‘dad, look at your hands and arms…and even your legs’ as he observed the scabs formed from the briars protecting the blackberries that I rescued to help them achieve their purpose.  Then he said what every picker wants to hear, “the evidence of a blackberry picker.”  Yes!

I have picked several gallons of blackberries so far this season, all from a single patch that is no larger than 100’ x 20,’ or around 2000 square feet.  Putting this into perspective, there are 43,560 square feet in an acre and Trinity encompasses 100 acres.  Mucho blackberrios!

My genuine prayer for you is that you will find that spot, that season, that environment where the Holy Spirit speaks to you without interruption.  Clarity is so beautiful.  From clarity, hope.  From hope, purpose.  From purpose, fulfillment.  Or at least a filled blackberry bucket.

Some more observations that this intellectually lacking man was gifted:

– ‘The best blackberry bushes are never on level ground.’  Life is not level and how you navigate the highs and lows determines what you harvest.

– ‘A lot of blackberries fall to the ground when you are picking.  It’s okay.  They are fertilizing the ground of next years crop.’  It’s easy to get caught up in what we missed in life and miss what life has given us.  Focus forward and choose joy where you are and what you have.  

– ‘Blackberries that are post ripe start to look the same in size and shape and are harder to the touch.’  Spoiler alert.  The flavor is still there!  There are people who will cross your path who are joy, hope and love deficient.  Life has drained them.  Be the water and sunshine that revives them.

– ‘It is easy to be blinded by the dominant color of red as you pursue the ripe and brilliantly camouflaged black-berries in the bushes.’  Be a meaningful specific, not a wandering generality.  Seek and accept what God has designed for you today and do it well, ignoring the noise and distractions the World will throw at you.

– ‘Blackberries are never all ripe at the same time.  Pick those that are ready now.  Your effectiveness will exponentially increase.’  Life can be overwhelming if we try and move what is not ready to move.  Be open and accepting of God’s timing in your life.  

– ‘Blackberries seem to ripen overnight.’  Because yesterday did not work as you hoped does not mean today is not worth your effort.  Get up.  Show up.  Show out.  Be the light in someone’s darkness.  Take another step.

‘There is a reason why blackberries don’t all ripen at the same time.  Too many would spoil because we could not harvest them fast enough.’  God gave you incredible abilities and he knows your limitations.  Trust his timing and accept the opportunities he places in your path.  He is harvesting you as you are growing in the life he created for you.  

I write these things as a reminder to myself.  It is very easy to get caught up in the trap of comparison and lose the beauty of the life that I have been gifted.  My wants are many, my needs few.  My genuine desire for you today is that will take inventory of your life and trust the Maker’s plans and purposes for you.

A little blood and sweat never hurt anyone.  A careful life without risk may never help anyone.  Choose wisely.

Let’s go!