GROWING IN THE LORD WHERE YOU'RE PLANTED...

 

Sometimes plant live.  Sometimes they die.  I haven't had much success with plants in the past, so our doing the two-step together now has been an iffy journey.  But these three plants survived and flourished despite my feeble attempts to water adequately but end up drowning my poor leafy subjects or forgetting to feed them or worse yet, just forget to acknowledge their presence in the midst of life's busy cycles.  

But it's consistency of attention to detail, patience, sometimes a little pruning, soft whispers of encouragement.  Much like the Lord does with us.  Always patience, His attentive care that shines in the delicate details, along with a little pruning along the way lined with whispers of love, support and encouragement just when we need it ... those are the elements of true growth in the Lord as we obey, wait, listen and act on what He imparts to us daily.  He seals in the night that instruction.  Sometimes He even re-pots us into a different environment, different soil to grow in, even changing lighting in the area  to make sure we will grow and mature.  While we are not plants, we are people, He uses these plant metaphors often in the Word.  One of the most famous is, "This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. ²⁷ Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. ²⁸ All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. ²⁹ As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come."  (Mark 4)  There are many others.  The seed is the Word of God.  Lord, plant me deep in your rich soil.  Cause me to drink daily Your water of life from the Spirit of God  that nourishes and strengthens, invigorating our walk with You.  This is a new day, a new thirst that is yearning within.  You are the husbandman.  I am merely your tender shoot reaching for the sky.  You are loved, Lord.  With all within.  Kisses!