August 27, 2000

Archive

Robert's Reflections

Discovering the Blooms........

A young woman who was a great lover of flowers had set out a rare vine at the base of a stone wall in her backyard. It grew vigorously, but it did not blossom. Day after day she cultivated it and watered it and tried in every way to coax it to bloorn, but with no apparent success.

One morning, as she stood disappointed before it,  her crippled neighbor, whose back lot adjoined her own called and said, "You cannot imagine how much I have been enjoying the blooms of that vine you planted." The young woman looked and to her surprise, on the other side of her wall was a mass of colorful blooms. The vine had crept through the crevices in the wall and blossomed luxuriantly on the other side.

Several lessons emerge from such a story. Sometimes we think that our efforts are wasted because we don't see immediate fruit. As we patiently wait we learn that in God's service our prayers and labor are not in vain. Eventually, we discover that our efforts have blossomed and are bearing fruit.

We know this is true as parents. Moms and Dads hope and pray that their efforts will take root and blossom. Often they stand staring at one another and with a shrug of the shoulders and wonder if healthy, mature growth will take place. And in time, patient hearts are warmed at the sight of luxuriant success.

We know this is true as teachers. How many times have you wondered, "Is it worth it?" Let's face it. Your ministry in the Kingdom involves a great deal of planning before you get to the classroom. Then it includes some frustration felt when you think you're not getting through. Thoughts like, "They're bored," "They're not listening." "They're wishing they had another teacher," race thought your mind. Then, out of the blue, you are reminded that your efforts are not in vain. Blossoms come in many colors, like an unexpected note with a scribbled, loving remark. Or you may see it in a grocery store, as little arms reach out to hug you and then you hear them say to Mom, "That's my Sunday School teacher." Or, several years later, an adult tells you that he would not be a Christian today if it wasn't for your love.

Is it worth it? The blossoms you see shout back a resounding, 'Yes! "

-Submitted by, Harold McKee-

It is believing in roses that one bring them to bloom. (French Proverb)

Man makes holy what he believes, as he makes beaus& what he loves. .......Emest Renan

Money   Money   Money

Money will buy a bed-but not sleep;
Books-but not brains;
Food-but not appetite;
Finery-but not beauty;
A house--but not a home;
Medicine-but not health;
Luxuries-but not culture;
Amusements-but not happiness;
Religion-but not salvation;
A passport to anywhere-anywhere but heaven.

"Werefore do ye spend money for that which is no bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. -Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear and your soul shall live; " (Isaiah 55:2-3a)