Written by monthly contributor, Rachel Coltharp
I couldn’t help myself.
The little plant called to me from the grocery store and it whispered the promise of Spring. Never mind that there was snow outside. Right here, right now, was the reminder that lying beneath the frozen ground is life. A promise of life, for only 99 cents. How could I refuse?
It perched so happily on my kitchen countertop, mere inches from the window through which the snow covered ground lies. For several days I happily gazed upon it, warming my hands in the dishwater, it’s promise of Spring warming my heart.
I was shocked to walk in today and find it dead.
What had happened? Nothing dramatic. No freezing wind, no blasting heat. And then it dawned on me. The week before, a dishwasher had been installed in our kitchen. OH HAPPY DAY. The dishwashing time was cut down, and as a result, the little plant that had been delighted over and cared for during dishwashing time had been neglected.
The poor thing had dried out, mere inches from what it needed.
I hastily watered the little thing, and in a few minutes it started to perk up. By the end of the day it was restored to its former beauty. How sad to think it almost died of thirst, so very near the water.
My soul has been like that little plant.
The beautiful promise that was blooming had wilted and dried out because of neglect. It’s usually not because of the blistering heat of a trial or the freezing wind of a hardship.
Sadly, it’s usually the simple overlooking of daily duty: The failure to water the promises of God in my soul with the water of the Word, the daily irrigation that keeps the soil of my mind soft, allowing the seeds of truth to flourish.
How wonderful that we are never too far gone for reviving! Drip by drip, precious Word, line by line, precept by precept, promise by promise. Every desert place is made fertile ground. Dormant seeds, planted long ago, spring to life when watered by the Word of Truth.
Where do you find yourself? Are you a little wilted? Or barren with no signs of sprout at all? Take heart dear one. The promise is for you. God’s word will NOT return void of life! Pick up your watering can, the Holy Scripture, and let it saturate your spirit, water your wounds, soak your soul. And then, watch as beautiful things revive, sprout, grow.
Witness the wonder of the Water of Life!
Rachel Coltharp is a pastor’s wife of one and mother of four. She is fluent in four languages: Infantese, Toddlerspeak, Teenlingo, and Husbandism. She is a writer and public speaker who shares from her real life experiences, mostly mistakes and do-overs. She is a passionate follower of Jesus Christ and an avid disciple of the the Apostolic doctrine. Find her sharing devotions at The Write Word and all things domestic and re-purposed at Galaxy Coltharp.
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Kelli says
Beautiful words! Very encouraging!
Charity Hawkins says
Lovely picture and word picture. So true.
Martianne says
I absolutely love this piece. Thank you for the reminder, so beautifully put. Sharing on FB so others can be inspired.
Chrissy says
One of my “Fave” ladies in the world….Sis. Coltharp. As always….very awesome. Thanks for sharing.