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Verse:To every thing there is a season . . .A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time topluck up that which is planted. —Ecclesiastes 3:1, 2, KJV
Today I found it much too hot to take my usual walk. So I decided to stay indoors, roll up the blind of my lounge window, and do some writing instead.
As I gaze out my window, I look upon my delicious monster plants. I have four of them growing in large containers. I like to watch for new shoots to appear from the last leaf that came out from the parent plant.
That little shoot grows longer and longer until it unfurls, slowly but surely, into a beautiful, large, green, almost circular leaf with holes and indentations that reveal a pretty pattern. This plant loves the warmth of the sun yet needs a bit of shelter. Otherwise, the edges turn brown. Many leaves are a bright and beautiful green, but, unfortunately, they don’t stay that way.
Into the next stage, the color on the leaves begins to change. Only a slight bit of pale green remains on the rib of the leaf, then yellow and gold with brown edges. Then it’s time to trim it off the main plant, but no! I wait a while longer to enjoy its beauty.
Now the time has come when the once beautiful leaf is brown and withered. Is there any beauty left in it now? Maybe, if only useful for the compost heap.
These transitions make me think of my life; I was born from my mother-parent. Birth is a miracle from God. Like a new leaf, I clung to my mother. She taught me about Jesus. I was a happy child. There were three siblings—I helped care for them. Mother always made me feel special. I was like the bright green leaf.
The time came for me to marry. Mom later died. I’m now in the golden-leaf stage. “A time to live, a time to die,” as we might paraphrase the philosopher. I’ll be like the brown leaf soon, withered by pains that come with old age. What influence have I left behind? Will people remember me as the green leaf, as the golden leaf, or as the brown leaf, only good to be cut down? Whatever my remaining time, may I use it as a positive influence for God.
God, help us brighten someone’s life today and be the best for Your glory!
Priscilla E. Adonis