Michelle's Wild Raspberries

Last week I went out to pick wild raspberries.  Covered from head to toe to protect myself from thorns I ripped out weeds and began my picking. As I searched for the darkest and ripest berries to pick, my mind began to wander and my heart became filled with thoughts of Michelle.  Metaphor after metaphor struck me as I plucked and tried to avoid the thorns.

Although there are innumerable ways to see the beauty of Michelle symbolically in life and nature, here are my “berry thoughts” of our dear Michelle.

Wild raspberries are sweet and fun to find.  Michelle’s gentle, loving heart and her fun and joyful personality is such a treasure.  She is so easy to enjoy!

           

Wild raspberries require so little, but give so much.  Michelle’s life is characterized by sacrificial giving and her diligent, faithful service is a profound piece of her legacy to us.

Wild raspberries cling to the vine and produce much fruit.  Michelle abided in Jesus during her earthly journey and continues to abide in Jesus now (John 15:5). Because of her life in Jesus, she has produced an abundance of fruit in each of our lives.  Our lives are more fruit-full because of her love.

Wild raspberries grow and mature.  Michelle opened her heart to Jesus and the Holy Spirit was able to bring her to maturity.  She taught us lessons in perseverance, patience and prayer. (James 1:4)

Wild raspberries grow among the thorns.  Michelle served and excelled in the midst of life’s storms.  She continued to grow and reach toward God though life could be prickly. (Galatians 6:9, Hebrews 12:11)

Wild raspberries get picked.  Jesus suffered the thorns to call Michelle to himself during her earthly life when she accepted his love and forgiveness and He has now picked her and taken her home. She was beautiful, sweet and ripe with purpose and God saw fit to pluck her from us.  He now enjoys her, and she Him, for all of eternity.

As remaining raspberries we must stay in the vine (Jesus) that we might grow into maturity with Him until the day when we are ripe and ready to be brought home.