I thought this a strange tree growing in such a beautiful garden.  Its fruit was thriving and green, its leaves were shiny and appeared healthy, but every branch was covered in these vicious thorns.  I step back to get a better look at this fierce foliage and with each step it looks as if it is growing more brutal and sadistic in its appearance.  As I sit in the silence of the cool garden I can almost hear the voice of my cruel looking friend spitting out his threats and warning everyone to keep out.

        Now I usually don't argue with anyone with that bad of an attitude.  So I made sure I did not get too close.  But the longer I lingered in this garden the more I was drawn to this repulsive looking tree.  Until I had to see for myself what these nasty looking thorns felt like.  So I place my finger on the base of the largest thorn and slowly make my way to the tip where I was introduced to the business end, where the payload is kept.  And just as you would imagine, it was very sharp and made an extraordinarily persuasive argument for respect and a little extra space in the future.

        Yes, Mother Nature has provided this plant with an affective self defense mechanism.  And the more I looked at this lonely tree the more similarities I began to see in my own garden.  As I think back over the years of my life I began to see the faces of people I have pushed away.  Too many times I have placed barriers around my heart in an effort to protect myself.  As I reflect upon those times of isolation and self imposed solitary confinement I realize that those were extremely lonesome times.  So it always is when we spend out time selfishly building walls.  We place our barriers around our hearts and slowly they become prisons.

        The ultimate miracle of love is this—that love is given to us to give to one another.  We are not here to accumulate what we think will bring us happiness, but to share the love we have found with those around us.  Instead of placing signs warning people to keep out, our homes, offices and lives should have welcome mats inviting those who travel our way to come and find refreshment and a friendly word.  Let us be the first to offer a smile, a pat on the back and an encouraging word.  Break down the barriers of selfishness and open up the storehouse of friendship.  Share the love you have been given with a lonely person today.  Happiness is a choice; share it with someone.

Something to think about:

• There’s a great deal of difference between go and let’s go.

• The more I demand the love of others, the less I deserve that love.

• Sojourn in every place as if you meant to spend your life there, never omitting an opportunity of doing a kindness, speaking a true word, or making a friend.

• Let us be first to give a friendship sign, to nod first, smile first, speak first, and if such a thing is necessary—forgive first.

• A loving person lives in a loving world. A hostile person lives in a hostile world. Everyone you meet is your mirror.

• Life is to be fortified by many friendships. To love, and to be loved, is the greatest happiness of existence.

• Friendship is a sheltering tree.

Your defenseless friend
Rickey Moore