In January I decided that this would be the year of flowers. I was given a dozen roses upon my return from overseas and loved it! In February, I was given a rose plant by a good friend for Valentines Day “so that you will never be without”. This rose plant has been an interesting metaphor for my life in the last few months as I have sought frankly to not kill it! I am not really one you would describe as having a green thumb. I love how flowers look in the house and the joy they bring to my life.
Over the months, this plant has seen good days and bad days. It was thriving nicely and then I went away for a week, I thought it would be OK, but sadly, it seemed worse for wear when I got home! Imagine that! I worked hard with my limited ability to nurse it back to health! Finally, I decided to do something drastic! I got rid of all the dead stuff, and bought a very pretty pot to put it in (I am pretty sure that plants like a pretty pot!) and replanted it with some Miracle Grow potting soil. I asked a few expert types what the best approach was for this poor plant. Finally, the friend who gave it to me asked me where it was in the house. I told her in the kitchen close to the windows that get sun from 2 directions, but that I wasn’t sure how often to water it or anything like that. Her response? “put it outside and let Jesus water it!”
By this point, the plant was little more than thorny twigs in a pretty pot, so I figured I had nothing to lose! Sure enough, this morning when I went out I noticed that it was getting some leaves back on it.
It occurred to me that this is a great example of my life in Christ! Since returning from my experiences overseas, there have been some dry times, there have been times of feeling neglected (maybe even by God) I have felt thirsty and I have for sure felt like I had nothing left. I wasn’t blooming, or seeming to be benefiting anyone, I was just becoming thorny twigs. There have been some moments in the sun and others of dryness I have never experienced before. I have realized that in all this time, there was Someone who was invested in my well-being, who wants nothing more than to see me thrive.
Where this metaphor falls apart, of course, is that my plant didn’t choose to reject, pout or decline the life giving water that was being offered. It didn’t complain that the temperature was not quite what it wanted and therefore questioned my good intentions toward it! Of course, in this experience with God, it could be argued that I did all these things and yet the great Gardener kept at it, pruning, removing the dead leaves, stripping me down to the core of who I am in Him. He has been teaching me to rely on Him more and more. In all of our circumstances, we can choose to strive, or we can take God at His word that He will take care of the lilies of the field how much more will He take care of us.
Over the months, this plant has seen good days and bad days. It was thriving nicely and then I went away for a week, I thought it would be OK, but sadly, it seemed worse for wear when I got home! Imagine that! I worked hard with my limited ability to nurse it back to health! Finally, I decided to do something drastic! I got rid of all the dead stuff, and bought a very pretty pot to put it in (I am pretty sure that plants like a pretty pot!) and replanted it with some Miracle Grow potting soil. I asked a few expert types what the best approach was for this poor plant. Finally, the friend who gave it to me asked me where it was in the house. I told her in the kitchen close to the windows that get sun from 2 directions, but that I wasn’t sure how often to water it or anything like that. Her response? “put it outside and let Jesus water it!”
By this point, the plant was little more than thorny twigs in a pretty pot, so I figured I had nothing to lose! Sure enough, this morning when I went out I noticed that it was getting some leaves back on it.
It occurred to me that this is a great example of my life in Christ! Since returning from my experiences overseas, there have been some dry times, there have been times of feeling neglected (maybe even by God) I have felt thirsty and I have for sure felt like I had nothing left. I wasn’t blooming, or seeming to be benefiting anyone, I was just becoming thorny twigs. There have been some moments in the sun and others of dryness I have never experienced before. I have realized that in all this time, there was Someone who was invested in my well-being, who wants nothing more than to see me thrive.
Where this metaphor falls apart, of course, is that my plant didn’t choose to reject, pout or decline the life giving water that was being offered. It didn’t complain that the temperature was not quite what it wanted and therefore questioned my good intentions toward it! Of course, in this experience with God, it could be argued that I did all these things and yet the great Gardener kept at it, pruning, removing the dead leaves, stripping me down to the core of who I am in Him. He has been teaching me to rely on Him more and more. In all of our circumstances, we can choose to strive, or we can take God at His word that He will take care of the lilies of the field how much more will He take care of us.
I am looking forward to seeing what else I can put out and just simply let Jesus water!
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