Strawberry Dive

Okay, I have to fess up today. I did something absolutely unthinkable from a five year old's perspective. It was cold-hearted, cut to the chase, action oriented favoritism (if you will). But it just had to be done.

I posted a while back about a strawberry plant that Makayla had brought home. My illustration was about how quickly the plant was growing. It's lush little leaves poking through the powdered dirt. One branch, and then another all in a matter of hours. I was amazed at how quickly the thing blossomed.

But it wasn't long before the green parts started turning brown, and then black. Like some kind of a disease, the dark color started from one tip and worked it's way down each stem all the way to the other side of the plant. Clearly, there was something I was doing wrong. Too much water, or maybe not enough. I really couldn't tell you - but what I can say is that my black thumb took a toll.

So while Makayla was distracted, I grabbed the clunky looking pot and proceeded to send it to it's grave. My footsteps were quiet and quick. The trash can was close . . . almost there . . . when I heard Makayla's voice through the window. At first, I thought it was my conscience.

"Mommy, you are not going to throw that away, are you?"

I stopped dead in my tracks. I was caught - there was nowhere to hide. Tiny little footsteps patted through the house into the back yard. I was met face to face with the plant's advocate.

I explained to Makayla that her little strawberry plant wasn't doing well. I told her that sometimes plants do really well, and other times they just up and die. I saw her face change from disgruntled eyebrows to a soft smile. She understood.

I agreed to let her keep the other pot that was sent home (that hasn't shown any sign of life yet). She was content to work on that one for a while, so with her blessing I tossed the strawberry plant.

I got to thinking about how this was a great lesson for me. A lot of times, I will want to build something quickly. A seed of an idea gets planted, and overnight I am expecting to see some fruit. God was showing me through the death and life of this plant, that sometimes things work out and sometimes they just don't. It's okay to let some of the things go that are withering and no longer full of life.

So what do you have to let go of today? Was it once a dream of yours, and lately it seems to lay limp and lifeless? Maybe God has another pot seated close by that hasn't shown any sign of life yet. This new pot may very well be filled with something that has deeper meaning, something that will last longer - like that acorn.

God has planted an acorn deep within those who are willing to live for Him. One strawberry plant after another will have to be chucked aside from time to time. It may seem cruel to some, but it serves a good purpose.

Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. ~ Matthew 7:19

Lord, may our focus be on that which is lasting, and eternal.