“For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.”

Psalms 75:6-7 KJV

Two children planted a tree. One child worked harder and harder every day. Making sure to water and feed the plant everyday. The child was so excited to see what the plant would become. Every day the child would sit and dream about what the plant would become.

The other child simply read the packet and did what it said. Only watering it every two days and feeding it every three days. Then this child waited. During the waiting period, this child learned how and built a little green house for it to live in.

Then the day came for the plants to sprout. The child’s plant sprouted, yellow and bent. It discouraged the child. For the moment, the child was sad, but then the child decided to work harder. Feeding and watering the plant more every day. Watching it more intently and still keeping hope for what it could be. Even though the plant stayed yellow and a built wilted.

The other child’s plant was bright green and tall when it sprouted. This child did get excited at the sprout, but still followed the directions on the packet. Watering it every two days and feeding it every three. Still working and finishing up the green house for the plant. Every day this child’s excitement grew, but the child waited and put the excitement in getting ready for the plant to come home.

After three months, a storm was coming. The child whose plant was still yellow and bent, couldn’t bring the plant inside. The plant was blown away in the storm. So was the child’s hope.

The other child who built a green house was able to bring the tall green plant inside. The child’s excitement and hope grew as the strong plant grew.

REAL TALK:

Sometimes we get excited for something. Really excited. At least I do. I was trying to work so hard to get a bullseye. But the harder I worked, the harder it was to get it. We have to let go and let God, no matter what He says. When I was trying to get the bullseye, God was telling me that I needed to stop. Even though I wanted to get it, I had to stop. I wasn’t feeling well and I wasn’t getting better. It wasn’t going to happen, this time.

Taking our plant of life in our hands will wilt it, even when we mean well. And when a storm hits we feel lost. We’re blown away. With God though, we have a constant anchor. If we follow His direction, the plant of our life can grow tall and strong. He will be excited to see where our life goes with us. His love will help you grow, if you let it.