lessons of the blackberry {part one}

I was picking fresh blackberries on the Soos Creek trail as I was taking a relaxing walk after work, and thought about two life lessons that can be gained from the simply act of picking blackberries.

1.] PERSEVERE THROUGH THE PAIN.
The most plump, delicious blackberries are the ones hidden and protected amidst a thorny collection of brambles. Reach for them and you're sure to experience at least one or two scratches in return. It is usually the most beautiful blessings that are surrounded, just as these delicious berries, by painful thorns that try to keep us from joy. Keep persevering, even if you need to get poked every once in awhile. The reward is worth the pain.

Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. {Galations 6:9}

Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can. {Charles Wesley}

I am prepared to go anywhere, provided it be forward. I determined never to stop until I had come to the end and achieved my purpose. {David Livingstone}

2.] WAIT AND BE PATIENT.
There is a season for everything, including ripe, sweet blackberries. Try to pick them too early, however, and you'll get a rather sour surprise. Wait. Be patient. For it is usually after days of uneventful, "boring" weather (not too hot and not to rainy) that the best blackberries ripen. Don't underestimate the days of seemingly uneventful waiting. God is behind the scenes working all things for the good of those who obey Him.

Ripe, plump blackberries gently fall off the branch into eager hands without any tugging or forcing. Trust in God's perfect timing. Don't force things, pulling with all your might to get your "blackberry" off of that branch. When the time is right, blessings will overflow your hands without a tug or pull.

There are some prayers that are followed by a Divine silence because we are not yet ripe for all we have asked; there are others which are so followed because we are ripe for more. We do not always know the full strength of our own capacity; we have to be prepared for receiving greater blessings than we have ever dreamed of. {George Matheson}

But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up their wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not be faint. {Isaiah 40:31}


Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. {Romans 12:12}

Learn to say 'no' to the good so you can say 'yes' to the best. {John C Maxwell}

Be blessed! And go for a walk... You might stumble upon this yummy and thought-provoking fruit.

[my delicious reward]