Lessons From a Hydrangea

LESSONS FROM A HYDRANGEA – Part I

It is no secret among friends, that my favorite flower is the Hydrangea. They steal my heart quite happily in just about every circumstance, location, color, or species. I planted two new Hydrangeas this summer. I’m hopeful that the watering, weeding, and loving care I extend to my “two new beauties” will bring to fruition the big purple and azure blue blooms they’re known for. Upon deeper reflection and introspection, I realized that the Hydrangea can teach me a few things. Maybe these lessons I put in writing down will be an encouragement for you too.

·         Grow deep roots where you are planted – even if the ground is rocky

·         Bloom in spite of dampness, gloomy weather, and painful pruning

·         Enjoy your natural, God-given beauty – surround yourself with kindness

·         Be happy that you have many limbs – when one limbs withers or departs this life, others are there for support

·         Receive plenty of Son, sun, and water

·         Enjoy the view of life you have from your spot

Hydrangeas can be grown in individual pots! This teaches me I can be myself too! Standing tall, sometimes alone, as a Christian is okay! A booklet I read stated, "The first year that the hydrangea is growing in a pot, normal watering is required, as you would any potted plant. The second year, the roots should begin growing out the drainage holes and into the ground. Don't move the pot." {Life Lesson: Isn’t that an important tutorial, Christian?! Do not withdraw when opposition and hurt come your way. Ask God to help you stay the course – dig deeper roots! Don’t move too quickly.}  As one might expect, the better the plant becomes rooted into the ground, the less it needs supplemental watering. {The same principle applies to our souls!}

What does it mean to bloom as a Christian? What does it mean to let your Light of Christ shine within you? To receive Son and water? Really – I encourage you to think about it. Take a few minutes.  To me it means to draw in, to cultivate, to invite in, and to live consistently in the Light of the Son, Jesus Christ. A famous minister worded it this was, "To remove myself from internal and external (when possible) opposition, and allow Him to develop me into the person and woman of God fashioned after His own image."  (The sad reality is that some people don’t like joyful souls. They’re joy-robbers! Let’s pray for them. Pray for each other! Be aware of those persons – and shine on! Don’t be embarrassed because you have many blessings and live a good life! Just have the right attitude. {Gentle reminder: Christians don’t usually blend in with the typical “selfish-minded person” – we aren’t supposed to! As Christians we are humble yet beautiful – fragrant – healthy and tall - tender to touch like the Hydrangea}

Enjoying the view! The view is ahead – not behind you! Look forward. If someone (the adversary comes in many forms) keeps reminding you of mistakes, failures, missed opportunities, loss, or shortcomings…remind them that the past is in the past for a reason. You know that God chooses NOT to remember our sin once it is forgiven through the Blood of Jesus. God has blessed your life. He blesses each child uniquely, according to His will. Enjoy every morsel that you can. Make a choice to be happy – a pleasure to be around.

And by all means, look UP to Jesus for your sustenance and strength. Don’t fight your blessings. (Sometimes we’re our own worst enemies). When we give more attention to negative than the positive we stifle the happiness and the work that God is doing within. Let Him lead. You’ve heard it before…but He truly doesn’t need our help to be Omnipotent. He already is.
Nugget of Wisdom: My husband recently told me that it’s a lot harder to fight a losing battle than it is to surrender if pride and selfishness get in the way!

Allow God to plant you, grow you, shine within you, and make you into what HE wants you to be. He will provide the Son, sun, and the rain. Just like the magnificent Hydrangea in full bloom – God wants you to bloom into His vessel of honor.

Look UP my friends!

Isaiah 35:1 (KJV) The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.