New Life

It's been a little over a month since I received a potted plant (Violet) from my boss at work for Administrative Professional's Day. Since I spend most of my time at work, I decided to keep it at my desk even with the fear of knowing that I do NOT have a green thumb and I've literally neglected any plant I've had in my care aka they've all dried out and well you know the rest. I did think about just bringing it home because there, if it dies in my care, no one will ever know but I decided to brave it out and display this beauty for all to see.

This plant, upon being gifted to me, had several flowers (at least a cluster of 15) and a week and a half later, they all dried up. I was devasted and a bit embarassed. However, instead of just throwing it out I decided to give the plant a chance. Within the next week, it lost quite a few of it's bright green leaves and now had no flowers at all. I was convicted of my lack of patience so I took to google and the plant lady at work to learn more about this particular plant and understand what makes them thrive.

- I learned that you should never water from above, that you should put the pot in a saucer and allow the water from there to be sucked in from the bottom to the top.

- I learned that over watering can kill a plant and not rotating it can make the plant grow towards a specific direction.

- I learned that this particular plant only liked sunshine for a few hours and shade most of the day.

- I learned that if I don't cut the stem of a drying flower from the bottom, it opens up to disease and can cause the entire plant to die.

I put all that I learned to the test. After a month and a half I noticed a new flower and several buds pop up (as seen in the photo). It was exciting. The patience in learning about this plant and caring for this plant reminded me of my own spiritual growth, those of whom I disciple and those not-yet-Christians who are watching to see how I live my life.

I am thankful that God created this plant and through it, He showed me the unhealthy parts of my own heart in spiritual discipline. I cannot expect my knowledge and love for the Lord to grow if I don't read His Word daily and patiently wait for the Holy Spirit to unveil His beauty to me. Like this plant, I cannot grow unless I am pruned and things are taken from me that cause me to sin. I was also reminded of the joy of discipleship and the patience needed to listen to people's story so I can carefully weave in the Gospel to their thirsty soul; not over watering but just being faithful to share the truth from the roots up. And as for the not-yet-Christians, I am reminded to be patient and that when the old self dies, the new self will arise, it just takes time.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." - 2 Corinthians 5:17