Monday, June 14, 2010

A Daily Need


The hanging baskets were beautiful. Each basket spilled over with an abundance of petunias. I had hung them where they would be visible even when we were inside the house. They added such a 'homey' touch and provided the pop of color I was looking for.


After a couple of weeks, I noticed that they weren't quite as perky as they had been originally. I found my watering can and gave each plant what I thought was a thorough soaking. I rechecked their tags to be sure I had hung them where they could get the appropriate amount of sunshine. Hmmmmm...everything seemed to check out. They were supposed to be able to tolerate the amount of sunlight they were receiving and I'd watered them several times. But in spite of doing everything I could think of, they continued to look droopy.


I decided to put aside the watering can in favor of the hose. Maybe, just maybe, the plants needed more water than I was giving them. I watered them until the soil was saturated and began running out of the cocoa mat planters. Within hours, each plant had improved dramatically. Although they weren't back to their original splendor, it was clear to see that with the appropriate daily watering, the plants would once again be thriving!


What a perfect object lesson! It was impossible to miss the connection between what my plants needed in order to thrive physically, and what I need in order to thrive spiritually. Both require daily provision. A constant connection to the source that allows each to grow strong and healthy. In the case of my plants, I hadn't been watering them every day. They are large plants and required much more water than my little watering can could hold. In my case, I need to hear from God daily in order to keep my feet on the right path. Reading and studying the Bible to glean what He has for me each day. Applying what He shows me that I might be a faithful 'doer' of His word. A believer who is growing. One who brings my Savior honor and glory and consistently points others to Him.


The prayer of the apostle Paul for the Ephesian believers provides the right focus, "That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledege, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God" (Ephesians 3:16-19; KJV).


To be strengthened by His Spirit, rooted and grounded in His love, and filled with all the fulness of God! Realize that Christ is the Source who is able to meet your needs and turn to Him daily for true health and growth!

13 comments:

  1. Great illustration! May we be saturated in the Living Water to overflowing!

    Susan

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  2. Susan - Thanks so much for stopping by! Saturating ourselves with the Living Water leaves us with no thirst for anything else! He is our all in all! Have a beautiful week!

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  3. Greetings Maria, I love this post and can so visualize your hanging baskets-how glorious they must look in all their splendor...plus what a great analogy! Even as we are immersed in the Living Water we will reflect His glory...
    something I want to do. Thank you for sharing and for the encouragement to soak in His presence.
    Hugs, Noreen

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  4. Great analogy...reminds me I need to go water my hanging baskets! ...and take some time to nourish myself in His word.

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  5. Amen. What a great analogy!
    Blessings,
    Karen :)

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  6. And it feels so good to be watered! God knows what we need to grow.

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  7. Lessons from the garden always resonate with me. Thanks for sharing Maria.
    Blessings
    Dorothy :)

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  8. Thanks Maria for this wonderful analogy of the flowers and how much we need the Living Water on our souls. May we make ourselves available to be saturated by Him today!

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  9. Noreen - So thankful that this visual example could speak to your heart! Your words are so encouraging. Each day as I water my plants, I can see steady improvement - and the flowers lift there heads up to the sun! Neat how our daily time with God lifts our faces to the Son!! Have a beautiful day full of His presence! God bless!

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  10. Deborah - So good to see you! I noticed that the tag on my hanging baskets mentioned that I wouldn't have to water as much because of something in the fertilizer - hmmmmm. Obviously their idea of watering and my idea of watering are two different things!! Hope your hanging baskets are beautiful this year! God bless!

    Karen - You're such a blessing! Thanks for your faithfulness to stop by! Have a blessed week!

    Jan - I like your new picture! Thanks for stopping by. And you're absolutely right - it DOES feel good to be watered by God's word!! God bless!

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  11. Dorothy - Welcome back!! So good to see you! Do you have much in bloom in Australia this time of year? Blessings to you and I look forward to catching up!

    Donna - Thanks for your beautiful comment! Love your observation, "May we make ourselves available to be saturated by Him today!" God's blessings on you this week!

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  12. Hi Maria,
    I sometimes feel like your petunias...desperately thirsty for God's word. I'm glad your flowers are thriving. Beautiful analogy.

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  13. Welcome, Julie! Always an honor to have new folks stop by! Thank you for your encouraging words. I look forward to getting over to your site and getting to know you! God bless!

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