Do you have thistles where you live? I find it strange every time I see one in north Louisiana where I live—in the fields, the woods, the cemetery.

When I think of a thistle, the prickly part stands out right after the beautiful purple flower. So many times in life, there are beautiful moments that come out of prickly, thorny events.

“We triumph even in our troubles, knowing that trouble produces endurance, endurance produces character, and character produces hope—a hope which never disappoints us, since God’s love floods our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been give to us.”                  Romans 5:3, 5

The thistle is the national flower of Scotland. It is the oldest recorded national flower in the world. Of course, there is a legend attached.

Here is one of them: During the mid-13^th century, the soldiers of the Norse king invaded Scotland. They chose to go barefoot. When one of their soldiers stepped on a Scottish thistle, his cries of pain woke the sleeping Scots who charged into battle and won the day.

I admire this beautiful plant. Is there a plant or a weed that is beautiful to you even in its thorniness?