I have noticed something in my garden that amazes me. My red and orange bell pepper plants are phenomenal. They are the same plants that I have had for 3 years. The past two winters, and early spring I have thought that they were dead. All I saw was brown, crispy branches that were messy and haphazardly strewn about the edge of my garden. They looked unattractive and I wanted to put some more herbs or perhaps cherry tomatoes in their place. But something always stopped me from pulling them. Instead I lopped off the really ugly, crazy crispy branches and then left the rest of the mess for a later day.
But something amazing has happened the past two or three times I was about to give up on those pepper plants. Instead of dying and decomposing - they sprout green branches and adorable, spicy little peppers. I am in awe. Now if I knew one lick about gardening - which I don't, I probably would understand all the science behind this. But as I don't know about gardening and am choosing to learn by experience, I am totally amazed.
It reminds me so much of what Jesus can do and does do in each of us. We were dead, and yet he brings new life to us. We were ugly and useless, then he gives us purpose and beauty. I am not preaching, but I am thankful that God loves and cares for me even more than my little peppers. He does not give up on me - even when I appear to be without hope. He keeps infusing me with new nourishment that gives me strength to keep growing. Now my pepper plants may one day finally die and give up on me, but I am confident that God will not ever quit his good work in those who love him.
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