Diligently,
I waited and praised and trusted
until the path seemed clear.
The hope that settled in
as the darkness lifted so I could see
felt like wings 
elevating me to freedom.
But when I took the first step,
I pricked my finger
on a thorn bush that had yet to be cleared.
Oddly, it didn’t hurt or bleed.
It simply reminded me – 
there will always be thorns
when I follow,
for that is what His crown is made of.