Lessons Learned From An African Violet

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  • Meredith Sheppard
  • March 21, 2020
  • 3 Comments

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9 NIV).

Several years ago I was given a gift of an African violet plant.  The plant was lovely.  Thick velvety green leaves surrounded a profusion of delicate purple blossoms.  As I thanked the giver little did they realize the desperate thoughts hidden behind my gratitude, ‘Take a good last look, this plant will never again be the same.  You have no idea how many plants I’ve killed—slow, tragic, pitiful deaths.’  It’s hard to smile and give thanks while feeling like a pallbearer and knowing someone is paying their last respects.

I took the plant home determined to let it die with dignity.  However, after reading about the care of African violets I began to think this time may be different.  Everything the books recommended I did: proper watering and drainage, maintaining sufficient light and humidity, and fertilizing on a regular basis.  I even talked to it, up close, begging it to thrive on my carbon dioxide.

Week after week for months I did everything I should only to watch my plant lose all of its beautiful blossoms and show no signs of growth.

For an entire year I carefully tended my African violet.  One day to my amazement, tiny fragile buds appeared that opened into glorious purple blooms.  I’ve now had that plant for years.  It has almost tripled in size, been repotted and blooms all year.  It has become my inspiration.

From time to time my Christian life seems to mirror that of my African violet.  I read the Bible, pray and exercise faith only to experience disappointment at my seeming lack of growth.  When growth and maturity do not instantly appear it’s easy to become discouraged.  Much like plants, budding faith can wither and die through spiritual neglect.

How often have you been tempted to give up because you didn’t know your seasons?  How many harvests were never realized because you became weary?  How many good plants have you thrown away because you made the mistake of thinking you just don’t have a green thumb?  If you are anything like me, too many!  And that is what renewed my determination.  Prayer and Bible reading (God’s Son-shine and living water) are essential life-giving nutrients.  Refusing to grow weary while continuing to do well teaches us how to cultivate a relationship of trust with our Heavenly Father and how to weed out doubt and unbelief.  It also teaches us that dormancy does not mean death!

This Post Has 3 Comments

  1. Arlene Keeley 14 May 2020 Reply

    What an amazing analogy of our lives as believers, and thank you for the words of encouragement

    1. Meredith Sheppard 14 May 2020 Reply

      You are very welcome Arlene. God can use anything to teach us lessons. God bless you!

  2. Shellie Whittington-Jones 19 May 2020 Reply

    WOW…I’m so encouraged! 🙌🏾 Lord knows I’ve experienced situations that in appearance in my eyesight looked dead or wasn’t flourishing according to my plan🤦🏽‍♀️-Thank you! i think I may have thrown away a plant or two because I did not see growth or life. Hmmm..isn’t that exactly what we sometimes do to others!- Lord help🙏🏾

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