The Secret of the Thistle

Destiny, it seems, brought us to Nashville. And to Thistle Farms, a community of women who have survived prostitution, trafficking, and addiction.

Do you know about the thistle? It is a hard, prickly plant, with deep roots that break through sidewalk. It defies the world and survives the roughest disasters and storms. But have your seen it bloom? It has the most beautiful, gentle purple flower.

What is the secret? Actually it's not a secret, because I will tell you. It is love.

Rita, what does love mean to you? It means caring. Just caring, about others, things, yourself. “Before, I didn't care about anyone. I didn't care about myself, and I sure didn't care a damn about you. That's how it was.” But slowly you learn love... slowly love shows you how to care, slowly you learn to love yourself and take care of yourself. There is something to live for.

Lori, who works in their sewing studio, told me: This place creates the space for you to have peace. It is the most loving and peaceful place you will find. She thinks it's crazy how people work to make a living. I am living!, she tells me, I love what I do!

I was surprised to learn that Thistle Farms is not faith-based (but everything we do, they told me, is based on faith). Instead, they are love-based. I think that I, too, shall be love-based. Really what you are saying, then, is that you are God-based; God is love. If love is the key, the focus, the in and out of everything – then God is the key, God is the focus, God is in and through everything you do. Love heals. God heals. This, I think, is the only kind of healing that is real.