And God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good……… Genesis 1-31
A cactus stood all alone in the desert, wondering why it was stuck in the middle of nowhere. “I do nothing but stand here all day,” it sighed. “What use am I? I’m the ugliest plant in the desert. My spines are thick and prickly, my leaves are rubbery and tough, and my skin is thick and bumpy. I can’t offer shade or juicy fruit to any passing traveler. I don’t see that I’m any use at all.” All it did was stand in the sun day after day, growing taller and fatter.
Its spines grew longer and its leaves tougher and it swelled here and there until it was lumpy and lopsided all over. It truly was strange- looking. “I wish I could do something useful,” it sighed. By day, hawks circled high overhead. “What can I do with my life?” the cactus called. Whether they heard or not, the hawks sailed away. At night the moon floated into the sky and cast its pale glow on the desert floor. “What good can I do with my life?” the cactus called.
The moon only stared coldly as it mounted its course. A lizard crawled by, leaving a little trail in the sand with its tail. “What worthy deed can I do?” the cactus called. “You?” the lizard laughed, pausing a moment. “Worthy deed? Why, you can’t do anything! The hawks circle way overhead, tracing delicate patterns for us all to admire.
The moon hangs high like a lantern at night, so we can see our ways home to our loved ones. Even I, the lowly lizard, have something to do. I decorate the sands with these beautiful brushstrokes as I pull my tail along. By you? You do nothing but get uglier every day.” And so it went on, year after year.
At last the cactus grew old, and it knew its time was short. “Oh, Lord,” it cried out, “I’ve wondered so long, and I’ve tried so hard. Forgive me if I’ve failed to find something worthy to do. I fear that now it’s too late.”
But just then the cactus felt a strange stirring and unfolding, and it knew a surge of joy that erased all despair. At its very tip, like a sudden crown, a glorious flower suddenly opened in bloom. Never had the desert known such a blossom. Its fragrance perfumed the air far and wide and brought happiness to all passing by. The butterflies paused to admire its beauty, and that night even the moon smiled when it rose to find such a treasure. The cactus heard a voice. “You have waited long,” the Lord said. “The heart that seeks to do well reflects My glory, and will always bring something worthwhile to the world, something in which all can rejoice – even if for only a moment.”
In this life we often feel worthless. Feel there is nothing useful to do. But this story tells us, God already has a plan in our life and all of God’s creation is a feasible and worthwhile. Sometimes we think like that cactus. But if we truly believe that God already had a plan for our lives, although initially seems useless In accordance with God’s time everything will look worthwhile. There is nothing useless and worthless in GOD.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
Photo credit: pickstopin.com
What a beautiful story Karin. (= Thanks for posting this. Blessings on your evening
Thank you so much my dear friend. Blessing on your evening too 🙂
Amen! Beautiful and inspiring, love this! 🙂
Dear Steve.
Thank you very much. Glad you love it. Blessings to you 🙂
What a lovely story! Thank you for sharing–I needed this today. Grace and peace to you!
Dear Rebeca
Your are welcome. Thank you so much for your comment. Blessings.
Beautiful story……have a great weekend 😉
Blessings
JC
Dear JC
Thank you so much 🙂 have a blessed weekend to you too.
Ah, beautiful and inspirational story sis! I love it. This is one I will print out and keep. Blessings to you sis. Have a great day.
Hi sis, good evening
Thank you so much, sis. I live it too. Oh, by the way. How are you?
Tired. Working, a lot and trying to set up a book signing and launch party. Really too tired to do that, I just want to take time off. How are the wedding plans coming?
Ooh, take care your health,sis. Your book already available in Amazon? About my wedding, everything was ready. Just take care a small things. Thank you for asking, sis. Well, honest. A bit nervous 🙂 I pray for your every activities. May God always be with you and take care your health.
Indeed it is a beautiful story.
Dear Chrisstov
Thank you so much 🙂 Blessings.
Amen. Love the story! Thanks and Bless you. 🙂
I really … really … really like this article. You gave a very beautiful analogy. About a cactus that finally found the meaning of life. if I may, I would like to describe a little bit about cactus. In classical Greek has the meaning of thorny weeds. Big with thick skin so that he is able to hold water in its stem, to be able to survive in the arid desert areas, Cactus has a specific metabolism. This plant opens its stomata at night when the weather is cooler than the scorching daytime. At night, cactus also take CO2 from the environment and store it in the vacuole for use when photosynthesis takes place (especially at noon). Many species of cactus have long spines and sharp. The thorn is a modification of the leaves and used as protection against the herbivores.
How our God is very meticulously and wisely in every creation. God has attention to every detail, and make sure that every detail has a purpose.
So, as you have written: “But if we truly believe that God already had a plan for our lives, although initially seems useless In accordance with God’s time everything will look worthwhile. There is nothing useless and worthless in GOD.”
Great post and awesome. Love you ((hug))
Thank you so much for your description more about Cactus 🙂 I got more information about it. Thank you. Blessings.
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!!! That’s all I can say haha 🙂
Thanks for sharing! ❤
Dear Deborah
Thank you so much for your lovely comment 🙂 Blessings.
Hello Karina, I have not seen a post from you in quite a few days, I hope all is well my friend, your words are missed.
Hi Mikial,
Thank you for your attention. Well, I am very busy with my work lately so I dont have much time to writing or just posting. But I always trying to spend my time to read every post of my lovely blog friends including you:) once again thank you so much for your concern. I really appreciate it. Many blessings to you my friend 🙂
Amen!
Amen. Thank you 🙂 Blessing on your day.
same to you Karin 😉 Thank you…
what a nice story sissy..I’ve learned a lesson.thank you!
Hi my dear friend. How are you? Been long time not see you in the blog. You are welcome and thank you for reading my post. Blessing. .
Once again this is a beautiful story, sis! I’m going to share it with my FB friends…
Steve
Thank you very much,brother 🙂 it would be great you share on you Facebook friends. Greatly appreciated. God bless 🙂
I am always looking for more of your posts to share. You know how I feel about you as a sister in Jesus and a Christian woman.
You are just a caring and loving lady!
Steve
This brought tears to my eyes, Karina. Thank you.
Hello, sis Anna…
You are welcome 🙂 brought tears to my eyes too when for the first time my mother told this story. Thank you very much for reading my old post, sis. Have a blessed day.
A beautiful lesson, Karina. We all at times feel like the cactus. But God can use us wherever we are.
Dear sister in Chris, Anna.
Thank you very much for reading my old post 🙂 I really appreciate it. Have a blessed day, sis.
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