Crazy plant lady

Wall of Faith: Michelle

Some people buy house plants. Some receive them as gifts. I adopt them. Orphaned and abandoned house plants have found their way into our home more than once and yes, I've named them all.

Let me introduce you to Fount (I really don't know what kind of plant he is...) and Joy (the Christmas Cactus). They belonged to my Grandmother. They joined our household almost a decade age. They were the last plants she tended. She supposedly potted them days before she breathed her last. She loved plants. She was generous, feisty and faithful. She had a huge vegetable garden, strawberry patches on the side of her house and a green house jam packed with Aloe plants. Whenever we had a scrape or a sunburn she would traipse us out to her green house and cut off a chunk of a plant and smear that soothing goo all over us. Every spring, she grew enough Irises, Dahlias and Gladiolas to outfit The Grand Floral Parade. I can vividly remember her cutting her beautiful flowers and arranging them and piling us grandkids into her car with instructions to hold the flowers up just so and then we would drive around the county delivering her homegrown jewels to others in need of cheer.  In winter, she bought live Christmas trees so she could plant them when the festivities were finished. That sweet lady would tell us about the Fount of Joy named Jesus every chance she got. 

"Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.” Proverbs 11:25

Meet Vera (the Aloe Plant) and her offspring (Aloe, Al, & Allie) and Arachnid (the Spider Plant). I acquired Vera and Arachnid when my friend packed up everything she owned and followed her military spouse across the country. She is brave, outspoken, and courageous. She introduced me to my husband. She was my first college friend to get married and have a baby. Like the Aloe plant she gave me, she went on to have three more offspring. And like Arachnid, she has been transplanted many times and learns to thrive in each new setting. Her husband has been deployed multiple times and she has fearlessly held down the home front with four under her care. When I see these plants I think of her and the strength and courage she draws from God.

"Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

My most recent plant adoption took place a little over a year ago. I call her Grace. Her previous owner was gracious, gentle and kind. She was thoughtful and quick to listen. She had a gorgeous garden full of raspberries and flowers. She received this plant from her son and she nurtured it for more than two decades. She had an eye for beauty and saw the best in others.

"Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near." Philippians 4:5

I adopt plants because they remind me of their previous owners who nurtured them with care. All three of these ladies had green thumbs and loved the God who created all living things. I look at these plants and I think of the truths my friends lived out. "Remember, whatever you plant, you will reap! Therefore, sow good seeds. Sow the Word of God." Galatians 6:7 Joyful generosity, courageous submission and gentle, kind answers- these are indeed good seeds. This is the way I want to live. 

Even more I look at these plants and I think about the God who made us, rescued us and is making a forever home for us in paradise. Isaiah 46:4 confirms, "I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and rescue you." He provides for our needs and painfully prunes us. He adopts us so we can be a part of His  forever family. This world is not our permanent home. Heaven--where God resides--is where we belong.  

Romans 8:15 
"So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God's Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, "Abba, Father."
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