I'm a houseplant killer. Not intentionally,
of course. It just seems that entering our home inevitably brings a death
sentence to plants of all kinds. It’s only a matter of time.
I happened to mention this during my final
speaking session at a recent weekend women’s retreat. “The only plants I raise
are silk,” I said. “My youngest daughter recently killed a cactus. She says she
inherited my genes.”
Everyone laughed. I had no way of knowing
that the planning committee intended to give me a potted lily as a thank-you
gift when that session ended. Oops.
When the presentation time came, one woman
carried the lily toward me. She looked very apologetic. “I’m sorry,” she said.
“Until this morning, we didn’t know you kill plants. I’m not sure what you want
to do with this now.”
Seventy women watched my response. Awkward.
How could I graciously receive such a gift after declaring this poor plant’s
certain fate? And so I blurted the first words that came to mind: “I appreciate
your thoughtfulness, but how about we do a door prize and give it to someone
who will provide a good home?” Everyone laughed again, and then a name was
drawn.
The winner approached me a few minutes
later, lily in hand. She was a gal who’d recently completed an addiction
recovery program and had just moved into a house on her own. “Thank you,” she
said. “I have no decorations for my home, and I’ve been praying for a plant.
This lily, to me, signifies a new beginning. It’s perfect.”
Who would have known this woman had been
praying for a plant? Not I. Likely no one else in the room knew, either. But
God did. I believe He directed me to speak those impromptu words about being a
plant killer. In retrospect, I don’t even recall how they fit into my
presentation. They just popped out. By divine design. I’ll forever treasure the
moment when the lily winner approached me with prize in hand. Her eyes glowed,
and her face reflected hope.
God delights in His children (2 Samuel
22:20). He lavishes love on those whose hearts belong to Him. His means are
multiple. Sometimes He does so through timely kind words spoken by a friend or
stranger. Sometimes through a song or an answered prayer. And sometimes through
blurted words and a plant.
One never knows how God will reveal His
love, especially in unexpected little ways. But of this one thing we’re
certain—He delights in us and longs for us to understand how much.
Grace Fox is the author of several books
including Peaceful Moments to Begin Your
Day: Devotions for Busy Women http://tinyurl.com/lm2bbdg
and Moving
from Fear to Freedom: A Woman’s Guide to Peace in Every Situation
Visit Grace's website to learn more about her
speaking ministry. www.gracefox.com
Facebook: www.fb.com/gracefox.author
Twitter: gracelfox
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