But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. ~ Jeremiah 17:7 NIV

I have struggled to keep plants alive. In fact, I’ve often said, “Plants come to my house to die.” I like the idea of having plants, but somehow, it’s never worked out for me. Until very recently. 

My shamrock plant has lasted 7 years because it reproduces itself every spring. Two years ago, somebody at work bought a whole bunch of aloe plants and shared them with everyone. I have managed to not only keep that one alive, but it has grown two new very tall shoots since I first got it. Yesterday morning, I realized there’s a lot you can learn from a plant. I don’t just mean the basic responsibility that we tell our kids. I mean actually searching, seeking out, and turning toward the sun. 

My shamrock plant was very withered and was in desperate need of water. After watering it I turned the stand, which holds both the aloe and shamrock plants, backwards. By the next morning, my aloe plant, whose long stem had been leaning one way, was now standing up straight and beginning to lean the other way to seek out the sun. While this is s-u-n sun, it reminds us that we need to be ever fixing our gaze, turning to our attention, and, if necessary, moving our bodies to find the S-o-n Son.

When we trust in the Lord and place our full confidence in Him, then we are, “like a tree planted by the waters that spreads out its roots by the river…” (Jeremiah 17:8 AMPC)

If, like my shamrock, you’ve been feeling a bit drained and droopy, it’s time to take a lesson from the plants. We need to spread out our roots in Living Water. We need to lean like a plant, turning our eyes and our lives, so that we can fully lean into the Son, seeking all that He has for us.

But blessed is the man who trusts me, God, the woman who sticks with God. They’re like trees replanted in Eden, putting down roots near the rivers—Never a worry through the hottest of summers…Serene and calm…bearing fresh fruit every season. ~ Jeremiah 17:7-8 MSG