This Thanksgiving, as I reflect on grief and loss, ‘Thanksgiving Special-Thankful for the Thorns’ devotional has reminded me again that God’s presence meets us even in suffering.

A Devotional Inspired by the Story by Donna Kersey “Thankful for the Thorns”, a thorn bouquet analogy. Read the story here:

Thanksgiving week had arrived, but gratitude was the last thing on Sandra’s mind. The year had been riddled by loss, grief, and more questions than answers. Still, she found herself walking through the door of her favorite flower shop, hoping a small arrangement might brighten her holiday table – or at least her mood.

The florist greeted her kindly, listening as Sandra shared a little of her heaviness and burdens. With a knowing smile, she said, “I know just what you need. I’ll fix you up with our Thanksgiving special.”

Sandra nodded and paid, unsure but willing to trust the florist’s instinct. As she waited patiently, customer after customer came in for the ‘special ‘- an arrangement the florist brought out… something unexpected.

It was a bouquet of long-stemmed rose branches — but every bloom had been removed.
Only the thorns remained. Green ribbons and soft filler plants were tucked among the stems, but the roses themselves were gone, clipped cleanly from their branches.

Sandra stared, stunned. “This… this is the arrangement?”

The florist gently placed it in her hands.
“Yes,” she said. “The Thanksgiving special. A reminder that sometimes the thorns are the blessing.”

And in that very moment, something within Sandra softened. She realized that even though this year had stripped away so much – losses, disappointments, and unknowns, God had used the thorns — the sharp places — to teach her, hold her, and meet her in ways she had never expected.

The arrangement didn’t pretend that pain was pleasant. Truthfully, it was downright, well, ‘ugly’. But it simply spoke a TRUTH – that God wastes nothing — not even the thorns.

We love the seasons filled with roses and beauty in the moments — answered prayers, joyful celebrations, and easy days. But Scripture is honest with us: some of God’s deepest work occurs in the darkest days of our suffering. This gives the Christian hope in hard seasons.

Paul understood this well:

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
— 2 Corinthians 12:9

Paul realized that the thorn in his flesh was not to be his enemy; it was a tool in the hand of an intensely loving God. Not to harm him, but to keep his heart anchored in the goodness and grace of God.

As I write this, I’m reminded of my own thorny seasons, of which Thanksgiving brings stark reminders for me personally- the places God allowed me to walk through pain so He could reveal His faithfulness in deeper ways. Maybe you’re carrying a thorn or two this Thanksgiving. If so, you’re not alone. And friend… God is still good, even in the thorns.

A Personal Prayer for Today

Father, thank You that You are the God who works in all things — even in the painful places I wish I could avoid. Teach me to see Your hand in both the roses and the thorns. Help me to trust that You waste nothing and that Your grace is sufficient in weakness for each and every moment. Grow in me a heart that can give thanks, even when the bouquet doesn’t look the way I’d hoped. Amen.

Continue exploring this devotional with a Deeper Dive into Scripture and reflection questions.