Hydrangea Revelations

 A few months ago, I brought home a hydrangea bush. Now. . . don't be deceived or confused. I do NOT claim to have a green thumb.🤣 However, I'm proud to say that I've managed not to completely kill the entire thing.

This plant has honestly brought a couple of lessons or revelations to the forefront of my mind. . .

A good while ago, I completely fell off of any sort of watering schedule. One night, I walked into my living room and every leap was drooping. The plant just looked sad! My immediate thought was to throw the whole thing away.

Instead, I thought again. . . I decided to water it & see what would happen in the morning.

The next day, I walked out and it looked new! Everything was upright! Job 14:7-9 came to mind. . .

"At least there is hope for a tree: If it is cut down, it will sprout again, and its new shoots will not fail. Its roots may grow old in the ground and its stump die in the soil, yet at the scent of water, it will bud and put forth shoots like a plant."

The very scent of water can spark [signs of] life! As a believer, my perspective is that Jesus provides Living Water which helps to strengthen and sustain us!

I looked at the initial state of the plant & was ready to discard it! Yet, all it needed was nourishment! This is the same way that some of us treat people. We're in a hurry to throw them away but they simply may need love & care in order to bloom and grow!

*Lesson 1- Be a water source & promote life/growth within others.

Just the other day, the second lesson hit me! I was looking at the bush and was confused. I still haven't gotten this plant care thing totally down BUT like I said- I haven't completely killed it.

A few days ago, I noticed that a leaf had fallen off. At the same time, new leaves were sprouting. How? Why? Immediately, I realized: this plant represents me and anyone else who desires to grow!

If we're aiming to be the best versions of ourselves. . . especially if we're allowing God to shape & mold us, we will notice traits and habits that no longer serve us FALLING OFF! At the same time, we'll still have proof of life and maturation because He'll cause new attributes to sprout!

There will be times when these areas of growth completely catch us by surprise! We may not consciously cultivate these things but by submitting to the ultimate Potter, we give him permission to develop us!

It may be painful to have parts of ourselves die and fall away from our lives but we can trust and believe. . . What God has for us is even greater than what we've lost!

**Lesson 2- Death & life can occur at the same time. Die to yourself & allow God to shape you!