Lessons from Blackberry Picking: 1

1. Look Up
It's my misconception that the best technique for berry picking is looking down. I blame strawberries and raspberries. But with blackberries, the key is to look up -- both for more luscious berries, but also to avoid low over-hanging thorns.
In life, looking up -- living before God -- is key to enjoying His blessings but also important to avoiding pitfalls. When we focus on ourselves, we hit things we could have avoided in relationships, "entertainment", career and on and on. When we are enmeshed in our circumstances, they take on the size of God and we get tangled in things for which He has provided a way of escape.
But when we choose to direct our attention consistently to God, we see Him more for Who He is. And therefore, we realize and enjoy the good things He has given.