Cactus fences were a common thing in the Dominican and they are here in Haiti as well.
Its funny to me really; A cactus fence.
Fences; can serve many purposes. Protection. Keeping something in as well as keeping something out. They are also a means of containing what is yours and declaring possession over what is yours.
Cactus; super spikey outer appearance. They seem standoffish and not approachable and they can be a bit dangerous if approached in the wrong way but once broken open they are full of ridiculously sustaining milk.
These cactus fences intrigue me honestly. When I was in the Dominican we lived in a house behind the church. Our neighbor’s house was literally surrounded by a cactus fence. They were separated from the church by a cactus fence. Thankfully the Lord gave me a pull towards this house and towards this family… and im so so thankful I followed it. Let me tell you, I fell in love, HARD, with this family. They are incredibly beautiful people and have incredibly beautiful children. I loved getting to know them.
Their house wasn’t the only thing surrounded by fences. Their hearts were as well. It took a bit of time to get them to open up but once they did it was impossible to ignore how big their hearts were. There was hurt and sadness and pain there in their lives and they were searching for things in life, for Chris and for restoration and redemption, but man oh man, I just can’t even explain my love for them.
Seeing them, and just seeing these fences all around, I can’t help but think of the cactus fences I have put up in my own life. Fences, that in all honesty, I didn’t really know existed until this month. Both fences that keep myself in and also fences that keep others out. Fences that I hide behind. Fences that I put up because I’m hurting, or I’m scared, or out of habit developed out of past experiences in life. And they aren’t just fences, they are cactus fences. There are spikes attached that I’ve developed as a way to protect myself when someone approaches me. I have the ability to hurt. But the reality is….wherever these fences are coming from; I’m realizing I need to tear them down. They aren’t good and they aren’t useful and they aren’t what I’m called to. I don’t need my own protective walls, not when I have a Savior who serves as my protector and who tells me to rest and let Him fight for me.
so. anybody got a bulldozer? it’s time to knock em down.
