God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and love and a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)
Last summer, yellow mums formed a border in front of my shrubs. Their vibrant color even showed up from down the street.
A few of the plants remained from the previous summer but I purchased more to add to the display. However, I didn’t plant them right away and the next day discovered that I had Covid.
For days I shuffled past them on my journey to the mailbox and wondered when I would ever have the strength to dig holes and plant them. A few times I watered the droopy plants which was a major accomplishment. Finally, I had enough energy to get them into the ground before they died.
After my isolation ended, I made more trips to the store for additional flowers. The cheerful mums warmed my heart and energized my still fatigued body. For weeks, they gave brightness to my yard and the neighborhood.
Then yellow buds turned brown. The once gorgeous plants turned to ugly, brown clumps. I wondered if I should just dig them up.
But within a few weeks, tiny green leaves appeared at the bottom of the brown lumps. After that, tiny yellow blooms joined the foliage.
Would the new growth overtake the ugliness? When I grew tired of the drabness, my lawn shears cut off much of the deadness. However, unsightly stubs of stems remained but I ignored them for a few days.
When I could stand it no longer, I sat on the ground by the first flower and used small clippers to remove every dead stem from the new growth. I slid down the row and pruned every plant. The job took much longer than when I used the big shears but the result amazed me.
My flowers looked new and healthy. Their color lifted my spirits and reminded me that we often have to be pruned too.
When we prune unhealthy habits, fear, worry and unforgiveness from our lives, we can become more healthy and vibrant too.
Lord, help us get rid of those things that prevent us from living the life you desire for us. Amen.
