HOW TO HANDLE PRICKLY PEARS (PAIRS)

HOW TO HANDLE PRICKLY PEARS (PAIRS)

During our time as resident missionaries in South Africa, Belinda and I encountered the PRICKLY PEAR, which allegedly was introduced by European settlers 300 years ago.  Over a period of many years, it reverted to its spiny form.  This more troublesome form of the prickly pear resulted in dense, impenetrable thickets, which negatively impacted domestic agriculture.

Nevertheless, skillful scientists made botanical changes that resulted in the spineless prickly pear, that can be utilized as fruit for humans and fodder for animals.

What is my point?  Just because some things (or people) seem initially problematic or difficult does not mean that they are totally lacking in value or usefulness.  Typically, there is a REASON why things (or people) become the way they are.

For example, one of the well-known characteristics of GOATS is irritability.  While this may not be true of all goats, it’s especially true of goats in the Rocky Mountains, USA.  These mountain goats are so ‘prickly’ that if they were to live in close proximity, the likely result would be the injury or death of a neighboring goat.

As puzzling as their behavior might seem, there is a good reason for it.  Mountain goats live in areas where there is an extremely limited food supply.  If they were to live in groups, they would die because none would have sufficient food to survive.

Believe it or not, there is a similar situation with certain challenging people we know.  Their behavior seems downright puzzling and offensive.  They can be cold, prickly, irritable and harsh.  However, if we would only take time and effort to look deeper, we might discover underlying reasons for their gruff behavior.  Perhaps they experienced overwhelming hurt or loss at an early age.  Perhaps they are now dealing with monumental problems, pain, or stress.  More often than not, there is a distinct reason for their prickliness.  While this line of reasoning does not justify bad behavior, it helps us to come to grips with it.

So the question is begged: What will YOU do with the PRICKLY PEARS (PEOPLE) in and around your life?  Will you automatically disdain and discard them?  Or will you ask God for wisdom to visualize and empathize with their problems and pains, thereby exposing them to unconditional and transformational love?  Admittedly, it will take a substantial measure of FAITH to engage difficult people and accomplish this.  But, wouldn’t you know it?  Believers have both the means and the method.  God’s Word declares that “FAITH works by LOVE.” (Galatians 5:6)

I even found confirmation in a line of lyrics taken from a song in the musical, “Camelot.”  [Editor’s Admission: “Yes, I do like the show tunes!]  This memorable lyric line comes as the answer to an intriguing and timeless (somewhat chauvinistic) question: “HOW TO HANDLE A WOMAN?”  The musical response is wisely simplistic: “The way to ‘handle’ a woman is to LOVE HER…SIMPLY LOVE HER…MERELY LOVE HER…LOVE HER…LOVE HER.”

My friend, never discard PRICKLY PEARS (OR PAIRS).  Hang in there and love them to life!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!