Deborah The Sabra

Cycles of Disobedience

Read Judges 2:10-19 and Judges 4-5

Reflection: Deborah The Sabra

1.   Who among your friends are most like the prickly pear cactus (tough on the outside but sweet on the inside)?
2.    In what ways are you sometimes sharp on the outside yet sweet on the inside?
3.  Spend some time praying that God would soften your edges. Pray for the friends in your life, asking God to strengthen them when necessary and sweeten them when needed.

This week’s reflection compares the name given to today’s Israelites to the prickly pear cactus, tough on the outside yet sweet on the inside. This analogy applies to so many people in my life, including me. I will not place the blame on any of my friends; many times I am the prickly pear. This gives me empathy for the times that they are difficult; I completely get it.  I had never really seen myself this way, but I have more and more lately uttered the words, "I have zero tolerance for....(fill in the blanks)".   It seems that today’s woman is tough skinned. We have to have that exterior that protects us in the work place. Many of us are driven to get ahead and in order to do that, we have developed this thick skin, this impenetrable outer layer that allows only our closest allies inside. It has become a means of survival in today’s world. I sometimes feel myself preparing for a meeting and getting all girded up because I know that I will have to present some defense. I am not defensive, just prepared for anything that may come my way. I know that I have to be better prepared and more efficient  than my counterparts. Maybe I am misguided, but in many ways, I have learned that this is what is expected and the “catch more flies with honey” analogy does not always fly in the workplace if you want to be taken seriously as a professional. This, coupled with my natural tendency toward introversion,  occasionally creates a barrier to me becoming close to people that I do not know. Sometimes in life, it is necessary to be the prickly pear, all the while maintaining that inner sweetness. I ask God to soften my edges, thorns and barbs when necessary, allowing some of the sweetness to seep out, and not allow me to bring my cactus skin home with me so that I can be a more loving wife, mother and friend.

Donnie McClurkin "Search Me, Lord"

Related Readings

Exodus 15:20-21

Isaiah 51:3

Ephesians 6:18