The Marvel of Plants

Brenda has purchased 5 plants.  I am thrilled with the joy they have given her.   The first one I salvaged out of the trash, the next 2 we bought from a man named Tough, under a shade tree on the SE side of town.  One of those was badly damaged by the two monkeys that robbed us.  It is recovering, but suffered severe damage.  Was an angry monkey I guess.

The last three are larger and came already in pots.  The biggest is a jade plant, next is a "mother-in-law's tongue" (sanseveria trifoliate, also known as snake plant, and a native of Africa), and the smallest is an unknown succulent.

Brenda wisely positioned them on the patio at the end of our living/dining room, so they are visible when we are up and about.  I am not sure why they are soothing, but they are.  The fact that they are living, growing, oxygen-producing descendents from Eden (perhaps) may explain, in part, their appeal.

I marvel at how small plants can split rocks, how they can thrive in cracks in the sidewalk.  I marvel at how tall trees, such as we have here, can pump water all the way from the ground to the crown, without any visible mechanics.  They can heal themselves, they can adapt.  They are dependent on G^d's provision, just as we are, even though I think most of us forget this pretty often.

There's no shortage of Scriptures on trees and thriving and producing fruit.  

L^rd we can all grow in many directions, direct our growth so that we grow in You.

Psalm 128:1-4

Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord,
    who walks in his ways!
² You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands;
    you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.

³ Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
    within your house;
your children will be like olive shoots
    around your table.
⁴ Behold, thus shall the man be blessed
    who fears the Lord.