Junkyard Geranium

I want to thank whoever plopped the dried out  potted geranium next to the trash can,  I drove by, backed up, and placed it in my trunk.  Gosh!  I think I can save this flower!

When I finally got home later that day, I pulled my treasured pot from it’s hiding place next to the spare tire. Settled in the shade, I picked crumpled paper, sticks and dried leaves from the leggy, wilting plant.  I talked enthusiastically to it. ( Don’t judge.)

“I bet it feels good to get cleaned up”

I chattered to the plant like a fool.  

I clipped errant leaves and plucked withered stems.  I cut off broken vines and, by golly, rescued a few cuttings to place in their own pots of soil for rooting.  You never know. Pretty things can grow from dried up, abandoned things.

My mind was drifting to God stuff (as it often does) and I thought about the Vine and the branches (John 15:5).

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.”

OK …. Maybe I digress.  Truth be told, it seemed like my junkyard geranium lifted leaves higher after trimming.   Was I crazy (no comment) or did those leaves look greener? 

Matter of fact, by the time I cleared all the dead stuff from my junkyard geranium, I found flowers!  Pink and red flowers, and,  was that a bud? Yup…and another and another. Buds were hiding right there nearer the soil.  

After my new plant emerged, I watered.  Then I hauled out the Miracle Grow for some blue magic.  Wowsers.  This junkyard geranium was beginning to look like fresh greenhouse growth, at least to me.  Isn’t that all that matters?  

I’m keeping my junkyard geranium in the shade.  I don’t think she needs the sunny August heat yet.  I’ll let her rest here in the peaceful shade for a bit. 

Hmmm…. As I sat trimming my strung-out, dried up, thrown-out junkyard geranium, I continued to think. I thought  about me and, welp, maybe…you.

Have you ever felt dried up? Have you ever felt discarded or overlooked ? Does your life need a little trimming?

Are your sagging shriveled places hiding your flowering buds and beautiful gifts?

God has an answer.  

Fact is, God has already plucked you up from the junkyard of this life and placed you in the trunk of His trust. Now it’s up to you to give yourself the grace to let Him care for you.

Let go of dried up experiences and disappointments. Soak up some good, refreshing Words of God. 

Nestle a bit in the shade of God’s care.  There’s no need to go blasting back into the sunshine until you’ve soaked up His peace.  Rest a bit, broken folks.

Let God groom you, feed you and set you in the sun when you’re ready to go.

Zowee.  My junkyard geranium is moving out to my healing garden as soon as the heat breaks. I think she’ll like it there.  

Man, do I feel lucky.  What a find!  What a God! What redemption for me, for you, and one sweet junkyard geranium.