The Lesson of the Withering Houseplant

Posted on by Lydia Borengasser

15687788413_599601674b_oA few months ago, if you had asked my thoughts on the art of growing houseplants, I probably would have replied, “How hard can it be?”

Everything changed when I was gifted a little twin-bucket of succulents – my first ever “houseplants.”

I spent the next few weeks worrying over those little things, their lives literally hanging in the balance. Or so it seemed.

Maybe they need more water. Maybe they have too much water. Why are they so pale and rubbery? Maybe they’re getting too much sunlight. Or not enough. Okay, the leaves are falling off – that can’t be a good sign.

Then I was gifted a “real” houseplant – a big, beautiful, blooming gerbera daisy.

Apparently I’m no good at growing houseplants. The pot sits on the patio waiting to be recycled, the flower having faded, withered, and fallen off.19857345422_0b448d9ca7_o

But, would you believe, just a few days after this disappointing incident, I was reading along, and God explained his object lesson.

All flesh is like grass, and all its glory/beauty like the flower of grass.
The grass withers, and the flower falls/fades.

But the word of the Lord remains/stands forever.

1 Peter 1:24-25, Isaiah 40:6-8

 [image credit: flickr.com & flickr.com]

 

16 thoughts on “The Lesson of the Withering Houseplant”

  1. Lydia – I had a terrible track record with house plants too – I do better with the plants outdoors until it gets super hot and i forget to water daily :/ oops – I so love the spiritual lesson God had waiting for you as you journeyed through with the house plants – the Word of the Lord remains – Love it thanks – your neighbor at #FridayFrivolity

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  2. I cannot keep a plant alive! I love it when God shows a verse that relates to our life. It’s like he uses the little things to get our attention and show us He is there and loves us.

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  4. Add me to the list of house plant slayers! I can grow veggies in the garden, but . . .
    I so appreciate this object lesson. Psalm 103 adds to the story: As for man, his days are as grass (or as a houseplant in my care . . .) As a flower of the field so he flourisheth but the wind passes over it and it is gone and the place thereof shall know it now more.

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  5. Great post! You had me with the title–I have two dying house plants on my porch. They have lived for six months, but the summer heat seems to be the cause of their demise….like life! Many blessings to you ❤️

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  6. I’m not much of a houseplant person, so I try to have plants (outside) that will not die. I have these purple petunias that look like they are dying and the very next day, they are all blooms. I may have one ivy, but houseplants I cannot keep alive. Great post. Thanks for linking up to Cisneros Cafe #openmicmonday! 🙂 Have a blessed week, Lyda! xxx

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  8. How great that the black thumb can give way to God’s word. My mother is excellent at growing houseplants and my method tends to be “oh look, they’re drooping and dropping leaves, maybe I should water them”. I’m so thankful God last longer than my (or any other) plants!
    Stopping by from Inspire Me Monday

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  9. Oh, I hear you! I’m not a ‘green thumb’ at all. My record with houseplants is not good. But, I’ve finally managed to keep a palm that my Mum gave me alive for over a year. That is a huge success for me! Dropping in via ‘Open Slather’.

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  10. I definitely don’t have green fingers either! Have been responsible for poor plants dying in my care too. Love the Scripture God brought you. Such a beautiful and assuring truth to hold onto through earthly loss in our life.

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  12. Last Christmas my daughter gave me a potted Poinsettia, and I have been watering it. A few leaves fall off, but it seems to still be alive after all these months. I enjoyed your post with its message, and thank you for sharing with us here at Tell me a Story.

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  13. I love how God finds a way to speak to us in so many different ways. Thanks for sharing with #SocialButterflySunday! Hope to see you link up again this week 🙂

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  15. Thank you for sharing your thoughts! If I have an indoor plant, I prefer the ones that tell you when they need water. I tend to over water plants, so when I see a drooping plant, I know it actually needs it. Try a peace lily! They do not need a lot of water, and droop when they do need it. Visiting from #100HappyDays Link Party!

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