The Dead Plant

It looked like a goner.

Moving is tough on people, but it’s especially tough on plants. While people eventually adjust to a move, sometimes plants don’t make it.

When one of my plants stopped sprouting leaves, and the stalk looked like a dried up twig, I figured the move got the best of it, so I quit watering it. Why should I? I knew I needed to throw the deceased plant out when I got a chance.

But you know how it goes. We get busy, and sometimes we don’t get around to things we need to do, so it sat there for a couple of months.

One day, I was out watering the other plants on the back patio when I noticed a new plant was growing next to the dead plant in the same planter.

Eureka! The dead came back to life!

I told my husband about it, and he said, “I know. I’ve been watering it.” My husband never gave up on what appeared dead. He kept pouring life into it, until it sprouted. It was a new creation.

And I thought, What a great analogy to life.

So often something appears dead, and we quit nurturing it. We walk away. We give up on someone we think will never turn to Christ. We forget God has the power to raise the dead to life. He can make something new out of a dead stump.

Why is it that we are so impatient?

As I continue my journey through the Bible, I realize God never stopped pouring into his chosen ones, the Israelites, despite their rebellious behavior at times. Yes, there was discipline, but his mission of revealing himself through this group of people never changed, even though it appeared dead at times.

And today, he never gives up on us. In 1 Peter 3:9 it says, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

He waited 17 years for me to turn back to him. I am glad he was patient, otherwise, I wouldn’t be writing this blog today.

Have you given up on someone close to you? Because of rebelliousness, or sinful behavior, are they like a dead plant in your eyes, never to bloom again?

Instead of discarding them, pray for them, even until your last breath. Because God doesn’t abandon them, we shouldn’t either. His specialty is bringing what’s dead to life.