All Things New

The year I started grad school I was living in a 3-bedroom apartment with two of my girlfriends. I somehow drew the straw for the smallest bedroom so there wasn't much room for furniture or other decor. There was, however, one little spot that was perfect for a plant stand and a potted plant. At the local 'big store' I browsed until I found a simple plant with lovely leaves. I brought it home and it began its journey with me.

That was August of 2001, 7 1/2 years ago. That December was when Jon proposed to me. That May we married and I packed up all of my belongings to contribute to the merger and begin our new life. Of course my plant came with me. Eight months later it moved to another apartment with us. Five months after that it came along for the ride to Huntsville. Apartment number one, house number one, apartment number two and finally house number two--we've packed up and moved an extraordinary number of times.

Through the years my plant has grown long and viney, been transplanted to larger pots as needed and cared for. At our current home, it has lived on top of the fridge, right next to where I wash dishes. A few weeks ago I noticed that it had started browning. I tried to water it, but it never really came back. Finally, when there were only a couple green leaves left on it, I decided to give it one last shot. I peeled off the leaves that still had some life in them and put them in a small glass of water. In only a couple weeks there are new roots sprouting off in every direction.
It's amazing to me how something so close to death can be saved and given new life. This plant can now be re-potted and flourish once more. Amazing in a plant, but even more amazing in our own lives.

At any given time anyone you know can be going through a personal storm. Life--no, Satan--has a way of breaking us down and making us feel as if we can't go on. Even if we wanted to go on, it wouldn't matter to anyone else, he tells us. It can be easy to let hard times pound on us and take the life out of us. Life has caused my heart to become pretty hard over the last few years. When little things here and there happen, sometimes it's easier just to put a wall up than to deal with situations. The problem is, when a wall's up that part of me just starts to brown--just like my plant. The browner it gets, the less hope for revival.

All it takes, though, is for one last green leaf to get some water and to start feeling renewed. New life starts sprouting out. Days start to seem brighter. God's word really does start to bring comfort and encouragement. Relationships start to mean more again. And before I know it, there is growth and I feel that I can flourish once again.

He really can make all things new.

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life,

to put off your old self,

which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;

to be made new in the attitude of your minds;

and to put on the new self,

created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Ephesians 4:22-24