Check for New Leaves

 For the longest time I was afraid to get anything that requires me to maintain its life. Back in college I brought a small African Violet to my dorm. I watered it and watered it. It died. I also bought a fish. One of those beta fighting fish that are so colorful. One morning I woke up and the fish had jumped out of its own container to its death. I thought, “My fish has committed suicide, I will not buy another living thing!”

Fast forward several years later. I decided it was time to buy again. This time I bought a rubber plant. My neighbor said it was so easy to maintain. I gave it water. It had lots of sun. Through spring and summer it grew taller than me. Then winter came, and I made a mistake. Temperatures dropped fast and my rubber plant was left outside. First the leaves started to droop and yellow. Then they fell off all together. It looked dead to me.

I stuck it in the corner, really ready to throw it away. But one day my husband said, “That plant is still alive.” Hmph. No way that plant was alive. It was brown, frail and even looked a little slimy. My husband took over, cutting off branches, sweeping out leaves. For a while, nothing happened. Then three new stalks started to peek from the soil. Then leaves. A year later, our rubber plant has nearly reached the height it was before, and it looks ready to grow even more.

Sometimes situations look dismal in our eyes. Major trials can feel insurmountable. But maybe it’s time to change your perspective. Before you walk away from a challenge, a seemingly hopeless situation, check for new leaves. God may be pruning you for a new phase in your life. God may be looking to make you stronger. The right now may hurt. But God has already shown you what He can do before. Wait for the new leaves.

John 15: 1-2

  I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.  He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.

Lord, we come to You knowing that all things are done according to Your plan. It’s sometimes hard for us to see past the dead leaves in our lives. But we stand thankful knowing that we can stand tall once again in Your glory. Give us the strength we need to get through the right now, right now. 

In Your Son’s name, Amen.

~MDT