God’s Green Thumb

Hoya Krimson Queen ~ I remember when I bought this unique and beautiful house plant when a friend and I were visiting my oldest daughter and her family in Knoxville, Tennessee. We both loved the plant immediately. A man, putting several in his shopping basket, told us that the Hoya was adept at adapting to most any light, required little water, and grew slowly. It was, in his words, “Human Proof.” 

My Hoya was all that he said it would be. Thick and lush, it did well in our old house, looking more like art than a plant. When we moved to our new house, I placed my Hoya on the same table anticipating no change. But change it did. Slowly, without my notice, the plant became leggy, and the leaves sparse, although I don’t recall picking up a single dead leaf! What happened?!

I googled optimum growing conditions for the Hoya plant and was shocked to see the differences between the plant in my house and the one pictured in the article! The picture showed a plant with luscious leaves, tinged with pink, and it had several stunning, snowball-shaped pink and purple flowers. While my plant lived, it did not THRIVE! It had never once bloomed. Clearly, it was not reaching its God-given potential. Now, I’m asking myself: Am I reaching my God-given potential?

It’s been several weeks since I moved my Hoya plant to brighter light, fertilized and watered according to the plant’s needs, not my own. I see small growth on nearly every stem and one small, pink-tinged leaf. God provides for all of His creation, but for us, He gives even more.

God knew each of us before we were formed in the womb. He provides us with all we need not just to live, but to THRIVE! His Word provides Living Water for our souls. His Son shines upon us with the light of salvation and truth. We grow fully in the wisdom and direction of His Holy Spirit. 

Even in this desert of Covid, I see our little church budding with new growth, renewed vigor, and the buds of future blooms! Let us continue to grow in Spirit, our faces turned to His Son, so we may bring Him glory and THRIVE in His name!

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:5)

I Love You All… Billie