The Rose Among Thorns

Guest Writer: Lauren Franklin

The Rose among Thorns…The second week of Advent is all about Peace.

Peace, that word… Every mass we pray for peace over and over again, and offer the sign of peace; some under a mask with flowing tears, some in thanksgiving, others in anxiety of what awaits.

Ever heard the term, or live the life of ‘Walking on egg shells’? I’m sure most of us have encountered this and morphed our own behaviors for the temperature of the room, not knowing what version of whom we’d be dealing with, be it ourselves, volatile spouse, insufferable family members, know it all teens, or an overbearing boss. We all know someone who’s misery demands attention…

Then there’s own temperaments that can be hard to handle, with wounds that need to be healed from living a life tip toeing around those who walk into a room and destruction follows. Like a child we recoil interiorly, shutting down, and run into our ‘inner room’ to ball up in the fetal position awaiting the storm to blow over.

Jesus tells us, “The peace I give is not as the world gives”- John 14:27. The peace He gives us is ‘Peace without understanding’- Philippians 4:7.

You may think, ‘Yea, Lauren that’s all good and great, but how do I live like this?’. You surrender every moment to Jesus, offering it to Him for the conversion of the soul, and allow Him to take over. I don’t have to tell you what happens when you react, bite back, or even so much as try to help. You get close enough to a hornets nest, you’re bound to get stung. Jesus’ peace is one where everything around you is exploding, you’re shaking, your heart is hurting, and yet you feel an overwhelming covering of consolation that calms you...

He is the stillness in the storm when our eyes are fixed on Him. The interior words of, “I am with you”, “Give it to me”, “Everything is going to be okay”. It’s knowing that He IS there, He IS with you, and He sees it all.

As your heart trembles, He holds it tenderly in the palm of His hand. This peace allows us to forgive, not allowing the arrows of the enemy to penetrate our hearts, or allow our thoughts to spiral into the pit of despair. It doesn’t mean their actions are okay, but that you’re going to let Jesus take care of it, because you don’t look good in orange- Just kidding.

As my guardian angel told me one day while driving and spiraling in my own thoughts this voice spoke in my right ear, “It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it.” Don’t allow any suffering to go by without offering it to Our Precious Jesus who always turns it into something beautiful in the proper time. In this season of Lent- I mean, Advent, if any of these words resonate with your state in life, or a season that has passed that you need to forgive to move on in peace, all of Heaven sees, and knows. You were called to be the Rose among thorns. You have an army behind you, Be at Peace. - Lauren

Thank You,

Lauren Franklin

Guest Writer: Lauren Franklin

Catholic Convert

Owner of Southern Saints Designs LLC

https://southern-saint-designs-llc.square.site/s/shop