In late August, my sweet co-worker bought me this lovely plant for my birthday. She said I needed something green and living in my office. I smiled at her and told her I had a black thumb, so I should probably take it home and place it in my husband’s watchful care.
Pat is apparently an optimist, so she made me promise to water it once a week and not take it home. This would be an office plant.
Knowing my track history with all things living, I quickly snapped a picture of the pretty plant with my iPhone so that I could remember it after its demise.
Folks, I promise you I did as I was told. I watered that little plant and prayed over it.
“Live, pretty plant. Please live,” I fervently prayed.
A few weeks later, Pat breezed into my office on a Monday morning to chat about some pending business. She glanced sideways at the plant, and then she shrugged her shoulders and resigned herself to the inevitable.
“Take it home to your husband,” she agreed.
The little plant that could was holding on, but it was less green and less vibrant. It was not thriving under my care.
I packed the living thing into my car later that day and handed it over to my favorite gardener. “Pat ordered me to bring it home. Do you think you can save it?”
My husband cradled the plant and examined it closely.
“It needs sun,” he diagnosed.
He placed it gently by the window where the rays of light could penetrate.
Right then, the Holy Spirit spoke to me very clearly — tell them about this moment on Day 31. End here.
Tell them they need the Light of the Son.
Without Him, nothing thrives.
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But what happens when we live God’s way?
He brings gifts into our lives,
much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—
things like affection for others,
exuberance about life, serenity.
We develop a willingness to stick with things,
a sense of compassion in the heart,
and a conviction that a basic holiness
permeates things and people.
We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments,
not needing to force our way in life,
able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.”
Galatians 5:22-23, MSG
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Q4U: What steps do you take daily to spend time with the Son?