Green Thumb

I stood amongst the sweet smelling flowers and lush green bushes looking completely lost. After approaching a gentleman who was loading flowering baskets onto large galvanized metal shelves, he informed me he knew less about gardening than I did. But, he was swift to point me in the right direction by giving me the name of the one who knew everything about gardening. So, I ventured forward in search of this woman with a new found confidence in my step.

And know nearly everything about gardening she did. I had incredibly limited knowledge on how to keep flowers not only alive, but thriving. My questions came from a place of insecurity and anxiety for I have killed many a plant before, but I knew that just because I wasn’t born with a green thumb, it did not mean I was not capable of becoming a decent gardener. Maybe even a good gardener. Slowly she walked me through the process of caring for my plants, giving me the knowledge I craved, and encouraging me with her wisdom gathered from a lifetime of gardening.

John 15:1 [ Jesus, the True Vine ] “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener.

As I ran the rich black soil through my hands, I thought over the instructions I was given by the wise gardener I encountered and realized that our minds and emotions are akin to the succulent plants I am planting. They may look healthy and vibrant on the outside, but if they are neglected from much needed fertilization and fresh water, the roots simply won’t grow giving the plant an abundance of flowers. I was encouraged to take time watering these particular plants early in the mornings light, or after the setting sun. By doing so, the plants will have the time to absorb the nutrients into their roots making them healthy enough to withstand the scorching heat of midday. The plants won’t survive if they are only nurtured in the moment when they are faced with the sweltering presence of the burning sun.

If our minds and emotions are neglected- we do not seek knowledge from those who have gone before us, ask The Lord for the wisdom he desires to lavishly gift us, fertilize with healthy truths and partake of living water, our roots won’t grow making their way deep into the very marrow of our bones. There simply won’t exist an abundance of fruit within us. And if we are only feeding our minds and emotions with God’s truths in the middle of the moments when we are being put into the fire, nothing of which we need to help us withstand the heat will be lasting.

Let us remember the power of roots- the dandelion’s root. Without proper care and nourishment, our roots will be void of the Official Remedy Of Disorders-Christ’s Spirit.

Father, as you are transforming us for your great purposes, help us to establish deep and everlasting roots within our minds and emotions so that we may not only withstand the heat, but thrive within it. In Jesus name, Amen.

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