Alliterations and Showy Leaves

I bought my mother and myself matching Petra Crotons. Although they sound like alien entities, they are pretty perky plants with a vibrant variety of colorful leaves. Mom placed her pretty plant near her chair in a sunny space. Every time I go to her house, it looks even lovelier. I failed to inherit the green thumb of my consistent and caring mother. After my latest visit, I came home and saw the state of my pitiful plant. The leaves with once vivid yellow and green designs were now sported a pale putrid yellowish pigment. The rich reds morphed to weak pinks, and the orange stripes melted to a mediocre melon amidst green leaves. My Petra Croton became a sallow semblance of its former glory.

Tolerate And Tabulate

The once festive foliage was slowly starving, begging, and hoping for help through its muted pale display. I took the time to tabulate the factors that precipitated the problem with my plant. I kept it on my kitchen bar so I can easily give my parched perennial water and I thought it got plenty of light from my litany of living room windows. The instruction card was devoid of decisive details and only told me that, “It tolerates full sun.” Creatives require clear cut instructions. I “googled” for more information. I discovered they required full sun to keep their colors, “Otherwise, the leaves will fade.” It requires full sunshine; it doesn’t simply “tolerate” full sun. My plant can’t synthesize its nutrients without robust amounts of radiant rays. My peaked perineal was quietly croaking on my counter without sufficient light.

Memorable Meme

While wading through google’s writeups, I remembered a memorable meme, “Drink water. Get sunlight. You’re basically a houseplant with more complicated emotions.” A few weeks ago; I was that hapless houseplant. My bulldog buoyancy had faded, the “color” vacated my countenance. My Physical Therapist, Terra, was concerned for me; actually, most people who knew me were. As Terra was toying with the capricious cause, she asked if I was doing my daily quiet time with exercise and worship. I didn’t want to believe that such a small thing would make a profound difference in every area of my life. As I walked through that day, it was increasingly evident. I was starving, just like my peaked plant. I was burned-out and beat-down. My ability to synthesize the good things in my life was listless and lacking. I needed a specific form of sunlight and submersion, the spiritual kind.

12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
John 8:12

Basking in Blessings

There’s a lot of darkness in our world today. We have to be diligent in our plight to stay positive and remain powerful. During my dark week, I didn’t start days with God. When I spend time with Jesus in the mornings allowing the worship to seep into my soul, I simultaneously grow sturdy and strong. When I saturate, even marinate my soul in passionate praise, in what he thinks of me, the fickle issues of the earth feebly fade. This holy hack helps me breathe in the blessings of buoyancy. I come to life in his light; it informs the rest of my day and even my week. We all have difficult times. The darkness of division, viciousness, violence, and viral hate vexes the soil of our souls. We need the gift of a God infusion, as we draw power from the other Son.

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15:5

Fictitious Functioning

We can wade through the waters of functionality with fervor and excellence. But without him, it’s lifeless, listless, fickle, and fleeting. I was that plant; my ability to synthesize God’s spirit had waned. I fictitiously functioned but lacked the ability to abide in an abundant spiritual state. When I resumed my morning routine, thinking it would take a long time, it restored me right away. Ongoing strength and my resilience require respite and time in the Son, the person of Jesus, and His Word. Once we set our spiritual system is set to glorify God, we tap into the power and purpose. I use worship songs based on Biblical truth, and I allow the leaves of my spirit and soul to soak up the strength, grace, and warmth of God’s Son. Then I can do all things through Christ, who gives me the mental agility and emotional ability.

I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13

Soak Up The Son

If we connect to the vine of God’s voluminous spirit, we get the light that we need. When we bask in the love of the Son, we get the nourishment to help us synthesize that which strengthens us. How do we soak up the Son? Worship him, allow ourselves to be in the presence of almighty God on His terms, being thankful, allowing ourselves to be loved by our Creator, communing with Him, as His word guides us. It when our soul is enlivened and enriched by Him, will can receive life and nutrients from our hard times. The Bible promises that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. When we walk in the light, ask Him for strength, spend time receiving His love, our leaves will shine brightly in a dark world.