My friend sent me the picture being used for today’s post. He understands my struggles and frustrations. It’s such a beautiful thing to have friends who understand. Thank you, friend.
As my eyes cleared from sleep and I was able to read the words, I thought ‘yup, this is so very true’.. but still not the thing that I thought I’d share with you.
I walked to my kitchen to make my tea, and my eyes caught my orchids. Today is watering day. I’ve shared about my orchids maybe 2 or 3 times before and the lessons I’m learning from them. Even now, years later, it surprises me that they still have more lessons to teach.
When I looked at them after all the beautiful petals had fallen off, I know that part of the routine is to keep watering them in order to keep them alive and so they will flower when the time comes. I always marvel that their root system seems to grow so fast and in my case, doesn’t always make it down into the earth or wood chips.
The routine it seems for me: I water, not much seems to happen.. and the cycle continues… until one day, a new branch appears, or in my case, a new branch had been growing and I was busy looking at the root system that I missed the branch that had started sprouting and is now 2 or 3 inches long.
Fortunately, I can see the root system in these orchids, so I know they are growing. But what about if I couldn’t see it, like in the picture (which is how life feels to me often)? Then I’d be tempted to give up and abandon whatever it is I’m trying to plant.
The caption the post said ‘the fruit is the last thing to grow’.
My encouragement to you and me, and paraphrased from the Bible.. ‘do not get weary and give up too soon, because at the right time you will reap a harvest if you do not give up.’
Dear Heavenly Father, I remain thankful for the lessons you show me in every day life. Help me to continue to sow seeds of love and joy, because whatever I plant is what will bring fruit. Help me to be patient, to persevere and to trust the process that you are working things out for my good.