... It doth not yet appear what we shall be ...                                                             -1 John 3:2

One day I visited a man who was very fond of roses. He told me he was going to give me a prize rosebush, but what he showed me appeared to be a dead stick with some dry strings attached to the bottom. Now, I know what a rose looks like and can recognize its beauty and fragrance, but I did not see these things in this dry stick. But he assured me that if I planted the stick, in due time, God would perform the miracle of producing a thriving plant, covered with lively, fragrant prize roses. And it was true. In due time, the most beautiful, sweet-smelling roses I had ever seen appeared on the plant.

I was musing about the rosebush as I thought about my life. How some areas of my life seem as unproductive as that prize rosebush. But if God can make something that looks like a dry stick with strings thrive, I thought, then He can make those parts of me thrive too.

And then an uncomfortable thought came to me: Yes, God can make anything thrive ... but only if I plant it first.

Father, I know You'll help me grow. But first I have to show my faith by planting my hopes in You.        -Lee Webber

Ask and it shall be given you; Seek and ye shall find; Knock and it shall be opened unto you.         -Matt 7:7