Friday, April 15, 2011

Stunted Growth

As I begin to type this post, I can't help but giggle.  You know those memories in life that upon every recall it issues an instant smile? 
Well, this one will be on my list for sure...

Just this week on an ordinary day, My wonderful, loving, and Oh so cute Husband came home for a quick lunch break.  He had no time to waste and was running from one room to the next trying to get things together, and get back to work.  Before I could blink he was ready to go!  He quickly runs up to me, gives a smooch, and says "Love you Honey!....and by the way...I watered your potted plants." 
Now, hold the phone. First of all, what a guy!  The fact that he took the time in the midst of running around like a crazy man to water my plants shows the kind of Husband he is! When there's something that needs to be done He does it without me ever saying a thing.  That did not go unnoticed, HOWEVER....I was puzzled. 
"Watered my plants?" I say inquisitively. "Which ones?"  to which he Replies, "The ones in the Kitchen, on the windowsill....they looked a little droopy"
 
Still confused, I walked towards the kitchen to see which ones he spoke of....Then it HIT me!  "Those potted plants?....THOSE potted plants?"  pointing to the Kitchen.  "Honey, they are F A K E!"   Sure enough, He had watered the fake, never dying, never changing, always the same, but now damp, potted plants. *See pic above

You know what's interesting about those silly things?  No matter how much sunlight, how much water, nor how much loving attention my potted plants get, they will never grow...never change.  The only benefit from that watering was the fact it washed away a bit of dust from it's leaves, and gave us a good laugh!
 
Could that be said of my life?  No growth?  I thought to myself.
With growth comes evidence of change! 
(My dress size can protest to that...ha!)
 
There should be continual changes in my Christian life.
Like what? 

#1 Giving things up that hinder my walk with the Lord.
(Immodest dress, Gossip, wordly Tv programs, time spent unwisely...etc)
"...let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us."  Heb. 12:1b
"But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one
to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; " Colossians 3:8-9


We should constantly be chipping away at our imperfect self! 

 
#2 Adding things to further grow my walk with the Lord. 
(Fasting, more Bible time, Prayer journals, Soulwinning, Godly music, reading good material, Scripture memorazition, etc.)
As Colossians 3 continues to say...
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
Eph 6:11,14,16
 11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
  16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
 
There seems to be a common thread in "Giving" and "Adding"...Change!
Have we changed in our walk with the Lord recently? Am I listening to the leading of the Holy Spirit, and adhering to it...growing?
Am I responding to the rain (trials) God allows me to experience...learning?


May my potted plants teach me a lesson...

A work in progress,
Andrea

4 comments:

  1. Great...wonderful application.. <3....and got a kick out of the story.. :)

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  2. Thanks Jenn. :)

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  3. What a great point! Thank you for posting this!

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  4. I think all fake plants could used a little watering......way to go Ryan Zearing! I love that guy. Too, what an encouraging thought about spiritual growth. I think the devil fights me more on prayer and Bible reading than anything else. If he can can defeat us in this area then it truly will affect our growth, and our walk with the Lord.

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Christian, Church Pianist, Assistant Pastors Wife, Bride to my Childhood Sweetheart, Momma to Abbybear, Pumkin', and Bubbas. Blessed beyond measure!