Plant watering day for me is my weekly attempt to care for the plants that live with me in my studio. The task amounts to filling a spouted copper can to its brim with tap water and pouring a long drink for my thirsty green buddies.The smallest of my plants is a little Christmas cactus, given to me by my sister several years ago. I had never had one of these before so when Christmas arrived that first year, I was absolutely floored to see it blossom on cue—as if it had some sort of computer timer embedded in its root system! Without fail, this little succulent has continued to repeat the phenomenon each Christmas since—until this week.
Here, in the middle of March, as I reached for my copper watering can and took stock of my surrounding plants, I noticed an unmistakable bright red bloom proudly perched on the tip of the spiky green leaf. I gasped a quick breath in surprise and instantly burst into a smile. How dare this small plant show its brilliant colors in late winter! It was audaciously unexpected and all the more beautiful as a result.
I couldn’t help but think of the challenging circumstances we are all currently living in. A pandemic-stricken globe has ushered in hardship, creating a late winter few of us will soon forget. We’re trying to figure out how to keep life as normal as possible while everything around us is anything but. This same adversity, however, also offers an extraordinary opportunity for each one of us. We can choose to show compassion in the midst of calamity—peace in the midst of peril—hope in hardship. We can be the ones calling those in isolation, sharing food and necessary supplies, giving encouragement on social media, praying with others online and reminding those we live with that joy is still ours for the taking. We can exemplify what it means to love our neighbors, even when they are distant. Most importantly, we can demonstrate genuine peace in our own hearts that comes from keeping our eyes on Jesus. Certainty in these uncertain times.
Each of us has our own sphere of influence—a place we have been planted to live and grow. It may not feel like a natural time for us to do something extraordinary, but with God it is more than possible. Circumstances may be at their worst but, with God’s help, we can be at our best. It doesn’t mean we have to do the monumental. Every act of kindness, regardless of size, matters and makes a difference.
“Be the beauty—audacious and unexpected.”
We have the power to mark this dark and dormant time with life-giving gestures, just by being ourselves, fully empowered by God’s Spirit. Wherever you are, despite your circumstances, speak up in love. Reach out in compassion. Stand confidently with trust. Be the beauty—audacious and unexpected. The world is uniquely in need and waiting to be surprised.
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” - John 13:35