Living in the Texas Hill Country means cactus and I have a relationship-in-progress.

Two varieties call my home their home: Prickly Pear and Jumping Cholla.

Prickly Pear is the Walmart of southwest cactus. They seemingly pop up on random corners every time I turn around. 

Their spines could go through one side of your hand and out the other if you ran into them hard enough. Don’t do that. 

Their ripened fruit resembles a red pear. Make sure it’s really ripe before you eat it.

The Jumping Cholla sound cute and cuddly like one of those stuff-a-bear places for kids to visit on their birthdays. No. 

The Jumping Cholla demonstrates sin is alive and well and messed up creation. It consists of a bush of little pencil-like segments designed to break off easily. Especially when their spines stick to your pants or shirt or clear through to your stomach and back and arms and … 

Like little housewarming gifts from Satan.

I actually like cactus. They’re incredibly diverse and adaptable and pretty. Especially when they bloom and bear fruit.

I just want them to not be unavoidable on my walks. To not require special pants and shoes and gloves. To not stick me and stick to me.

Unfortunately that’s not going to happen on my hill in my lifetime. 

Neither will it happen in your lifetime with the variety of spines Satan has strewn about on your hill.

You’ll have to coexist. Avoid them whenever possible. Pull them out by the roots. Burn them in some situations. 

Pull their spines out of your belly with tweezers. Get your wife to help, if needed.

Just know sin and Jesus have a working relationship. Sin wants to run wild forever. Jesus has already said no. 

I’m ready for that day.