Reflections and Responses

I was thinking this morning about plants. I've never been successful at sustaining plants, and the reason why is pretty embarrassing. I rarely read the directions. In fact, sometimes I rip off the little piece of cardboard with the directions on it because it interferes with the aesthetic of the plant. This realization became an instant parallel with how I live. Too often I treat God's Word like I treat the instructions for plants, naively coasting through without reminding myself of what I can do in order to thrive. Like the plant distributors, my Father has provided everything I need (wisdom, encouragement, comfort, hope) in writing for me to dwell on as often as possible. What a generous gift. Yet, I tend to act as if these words are optional. The parallels continue. Like taking care of plants, we have to be proactive in nurturing our souls. If we wait to water or relocate a plant until there are signs of decay, there's a good chance that some permanent damage has...