Friday, January 15, 2010

Can’t Believe How God Hangs With Us!

January 15, 2010

The other day my wife, Sheila, got excited. “Herb, did you see my baby?” she asked. My mind reeled. We’re way too old to have kids and I was pretty certain she was not pregnant. Let alone ready to deliver.

“No… where is it?” I asked tentatively. She pointed to a shelf by the hallway window.

“Look! Isn’t it exciting? It’s growing!” she enthused as she gently touched a tender shoot.

Sheila bought a plant two years ago. An orchid plant. She has nurtured, cultivated, watered, protected, and moved it from window to window. It is a spoiled brat! And it has given her NOTHING. Not one bud, not one bloom, not one aromatic fragrance. Nothing.

“It will only have one bloom a year,” she informed me.

ONE BLOOM! I thought (but did not say out loud), “You’ve got to be kidding! You’ve been caring for this green thing for two years and when it finally blooms it will only give you ONE flower? What a waste of time!” I kept my mouth shut, nodded and smiled. (Hey, I’ve been married a long time!)

“But when it blooms, it will last a long time,” she assured me. Rats, she saw through the smile.

“And when it blooms, it will be BEAUTIFUL!” Sheila continued. Obviously, it is worth it to her. All the time, effort and care put into something with great possibilities but no guarantees.

The “baby” continues to grow; Sheila continues to care for it and wait in anticipation of what is coming.

A lot like US. A lot like GOD.

God looks at us in the same way Sheila looks at the orchid plant. Full of great possibilities but no guarantees. He cares for us, nurtures us, protects us, gives us the best shot at becoming something beautiful. And then He waits. And waits. And waits. And waits some more. Knowing that if we turn to Him, we will bloom into something of incredible beauty.

Can’t believe how FAITHFUL God is with us. I would have given up on the orchid and us long ago. But not God.

“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.” Deuteronomy 7:9 (NIV)

Is your life beautiful? Can be. Turn to Him and He guarantees to transform us from a lump of green leaves to a magnificent creation.

Boldly, Herb

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