Chaplain's Remarks
Afternoon PPN Family,
I visited Bunnings recently and every time I’m there I seem to end up wandering into the planting section. Surely my plant obsession has nothing to do with it at all….
Anywho, while I was there, I saw one of the Bunnings attendants placing a few, very wilted and dead looking peace lilies into new pots. Probably to aid in the selling of the dying plant. And after a bit of an inspection, I thought to myself, "Yeah I can take it home and try to save it."
So, that’s what I did, I bought it home cleaned up the dead or dying leaves, gave it a much-needed drink and left it by a well-lit window. The next morning, I came out to a peace lily not as sad or wilted as before, but now standing, and filled with more life than it had seen in a while.
I was quite proud of myself and quickly went to show it off to my roommate, who the day before questioned if it was worth save at all.
But thinking back, I really didn’t do much at all, I just gave it some water and placed it in the right spot. I didn’t tell the plant to take nutrients from the watered soil or draw energy from the sun.
God did that. He made all that the plant needed, and He does the same for us. Instead of water for when we are thirsty, He gives us living water.
“Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” John 4:13
And just like the lily gets its energy from the sun, we receive ours from the SON.
“The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and He sustains everything by the mighty power of His command….” Hebrews 1:3a
When we start to feel run down and close to giving up, or if we see someone going though it and has put themselves into a nice-looking pot trying to hide some of those wilted leaves, let’s remember to stop and spend some time getting to know them, building a relationship, and learning about their needs. And maybe then we can point them towards the Son, share the living word (The Bible) and let God do the rest.
We can all be gardeners for God and help His Kingdom grow.
Many Blessings,
Pr Andy.
