My back patio pavement came to life this summer. In tiny crevices between the brick-like border, twin green leaflets emerged dotting a lot of the seams. They looked familiar and as I let them grow, I recognized the plant as vinca. I planted vinca in my patio flowerpots last year and apparently seeds formed and then lodged in cracks where spring rains and summer sun brought them to life from the rocks! I considered pulling them up until I decided I could use the flowers in spots around the yard. Plus, travel and ‘to do’s’ are limiting my garden activity this year. So, pictured, you see flowers blooming from the cracks! I have transplanted some of the strays but I discovered when they got too big, the root broke off as a pulled them out.
In my decade of blog writing, ideas and topics come to mind for a post, and then I select the feature photo (a requirement in the program I use). If you’ve been reading for long, or have an eye for photography, you realize photos are not my strong suit. But this time, the photo of the scene on my patio takes the stage and I wonder and pray for an application.
Some of you will probably think of what I first thought: the quip, “bloom where you’re planted.” Yes, the vinca did just that, but my mind isn’t settling there. Instead, I am thinking of the need to keep a short account, to nip problems in the bud, not let a bitter root grow. Though the analogy breaks down on my patio as the cute pink and white flowers bloom, albeit out of place, Scripture does bear the warning.
Song of Solomon levels with us about controlling “little foxes that spoil the vine,” an admonishment to keep short accounts in relationships (Song of Solomon 2 v 15). God used the author of Hebrews (12 v 15) to warn against letting a bitter root (or root of bitterness) grow, that is, get larger. It should be pulled up quickly when small and manageable! And in the epistle of James (3 v 3-5), a trio of metaphors describe the big impact of just a little, untamed sin, foremost among them sinning words and speech. Timely spiritual weed control is a serious and consequential chore.
Ten years ago, in August of 2016, I launched my blog, “A Writer’s Daughter.” My debut was a series of gardening anecdotes on Facebook. Since then, it has been the Lord’s work and His pace. I prayerfully persist in writing as the thoughts (or images) form in my mind. My blog numbers are not in the millions (I haven’t gone viral!?!) but I trust that the real Author is writing His story in others’ lives, as I share some of His words, The Word. AMEN ~ thank you for reading.
