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Monday, December 29, 2008

A story called. . ."Thorn Wood"

When our family first moved here, the back of our property was over run with honeysuckle vines and locust saplings. It was so thick in some areas that we couldn't even walk through it without getting our feet tangled up in the vines.

We had moved in during the winter months last year so we had to wait until spring time brought us warmer weather to work in. My husband was out of a job which made for skimpy living but it also allowed him the time he needed here on the property to get some of that back yard cleaned up and workable.

We all went to the back yard as a family and just started cutting vines, brush and weeds.

While I was cutting I came upon this:



I stopped cutting immediately and stood there in awe at the size of the thorns and the plant itself. I wondered what in the world could this plant be?

So I walked on down to the other side of the property where my husband was cutting brush and asked him if he'd come and take a look at this plant I had found. A bit tired and overworked, he seemed reluctant but still agreed to walk on over there with me.



He stepped up as close as he could to the bush and held one of the limbs in his hand and said, "Honey, you don't want to cut this down".



I asked, "Why?"



He said, "This is the Crown of Thorns. It's what they put on Jesus' head when they crucified him."

I reached out and touched one of the long thorns.



Then I fell onto my knees beneath the bush and wept for my Lord and the pain He endured for me . . . and you.

So, of course we left the plant standing and later on we came to discover the ancient grandmother to this plant in another area of our back yard. She produced hundreds of babies this year which we handed out to churches and neighbors in our area. We even sent some home to West Virginia and some to my Mother-in-Love here in North Carolina.

Then early last week, I was having an email conversation with my dear friend, Gail. If you know Gail, you already know what a creative mind she has. She is really good with writing, words, photography, poetry, etc.

Well, she noticed I had a picture of my house on my blog with "My house needs a name" written above it. She asked if I'd come up with a name yet. Of course I hadn't and she offered to help me out. She asked me some questions about the property, my family history, the age of the house, just different things. She left me with a list of names and being unable to make a decision about anything most days, I still didn't decide on a name.

So, on Saturday when I received the box in the mail from Gail, it was addressed to none other than:

Thorn Wood



Now all I need is a nice sign with the name of my house on it ;)

Finally, my sweet old fashioned home has a name thanks so much to my dear friend, Gail :)

God bless Gail and all my dear friends who visit my blog daily, sharing in my life as you all do. Your presence in my life even if it is only through the internet, is a blessing to me.

Love
Sharon

12 comments:

  1. That is a perfect name!

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  2. I love that name Sharon! It's perfect! Enjoy the New Year!

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  3. Sharon~ Thanks for visiting my new blog, and I would be honored to be on your blog roll, I will put you on mine as well. Glad that I inspired you and your daughter with my embroidery..I plan on lots more this coming year..I love the look of your blog very pretty backgrounds and I definately love the pictures..
    Blessings,Joann

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  4. Wow! I thought you were going to post a "name my house" blog.
    I never imagined you had already picked!
    Thanks for the honor, Gail

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  5. Looking at those pictures and reading your post just ran cold chills all over me.

    That is awesome "Thorn Wood" Very appropriate!

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  6. What a great name Sharon! Every time you tell people the name, it is a witness for the Lord!!
    Nothing could be better.

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  7. What an awesome find and an awesome name! It fits you and your family perfectly!!!!
    Christy

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  8. What a wonderful name!

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  9. What a beautiful story! I enjoyed reading it. You have such a beautiful house with the perfect name!

    ~Brooke

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  10. A dear old 'Southern Gentlman,' Bill Lynch, would bring his Crown of Thorns to Church every Easter & share cuttings with the congregation. I never managed to get one to grow (his was about 3' tall, & grew just fine!) A few years ago I was in Hawaii with my galfriend Nancy & her two girls, & we stopped at a little white chapel on the Big Island, & there were several beautiful crown of thorns in the garden there! Thought of Bill & his gift.

    Thorn wood is a delightful name for your property! Blessings

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  11. I cried to hear this story again. Thank you. I am so glad you have shared the babies with so many people.

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  12. Hello Sharon It was such a pleasant surprise to hear from you!!
    I have held our new grandbaby ~~she is just lovely and just the precious little bundle of sweetness ~~
    It has been busy here at the ranch. Trying to do spring things with winter weather. We had two inches of fresh snow yesterday morning. Praise the LORD it eventually melted ~~well most of it that is. Heavy frost this morning. But spring is here in the Cariboo with swans and sandhill cranes, merganzers Canada Geese, Grebes, Mallards, pileated woodpeckers, red-winged blackbirds, eagles (bald and golden) bluebirds and never forget the all mighty symbol of spring the Robin!!
    Bears are out a plenty too. Big ones, little ones in between ones mamas and babies ~~so far no sightings of grizzlies! PTL for that.
    I did try off and on to get on your site to read your postings but was not allowed so didn't know why?!
    All is well and it is very good to be able to read your postings again. Love the Thorn Wood story. Are you ever on Homesteadbloggers anymore?
    I will be thinking of you and saying a prayer for you and family as you go on this new quest in your life(ves) God be with you Roxanne

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