“If God would choose a plant to represent him, I think he would choose of all plants the cactus. The cactus has all the blessings he tried, but mostly failed, to give to man…
It has humility, but it is not submissive.
It grows where no other plant will grow.
It does not complain when the sun bakes it back or the wind tears it from the cliff or drowns it in the dry sand of the desert or when it is thirsty…
In good times and in bad it will still flower. It protects itself against danger, but it harms no other plant. It adapts perfectly to almost any environment…
The cactus has properties that heal the wounds of men and from it comes potions that can make man touch the face of God or stare into the mouth of hell.
It is the plant of patience and solitude, love and madness, ugliness and beauty, toughness and gentleness.
Of all plants, surely God made the cactus in his own image?”
~Bryce Courtenay
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Image: komodocutie
Never thought of a cactus in such positive light. I like this perspective. One thing about this gives me pause, though. Surely God never fails! Perhaps it would be more accurate to say that man has largely rejected these gifts and could take a lesson from the cactus. OK I said it. I couldn’t help it.