"Grow"

No, there's no theme here.  I'm not challenging myself to write stories with one word titles.  I did discover that one word can mean so very much.  One word can carry a lot of weight.

Words like, "yes," "no," "stop," "go," "win" and "lose," seem to be particularly important to us.

So, it came as no surprise to me when, on one early morning in late October, I walked out my door and saw it.

It must have been there for at least a day or two.  I might ask myself why I didn't see it before.  But I know why.  I wasn't meant to see it then.  It had to be that day.

It is how God works.  It is how God teaches me to see when I am trying hear. It was my "yes" when I thought He was saying "no."

It is how God makes me "stop" when I am on the "go."

He shows me how to make something a "win" when I thought I would "lose."

I was rubbing the night dreams from my eyes as I opened the door.  It was still dark and I wanted it that way.  I wasn't looking for the bright side of anything.  I needed to slip into this day slowly, so when I stepped out onto the deck and stood there waiting for my dogs to come back in, I made no effort at all to even notice anything.

But, in God's plan for me, this little thing would appear so much bigger. I have no idea how it got there.  I can't even imagine that it just fell and took root, but it certainly took advantage of wherever it ended up.

There is about five feet from by back door to the railing that surrounds a small deck.  One step up and you have access to our hot tub.

The thick brown cover used to keep the tub hot when not in use, has a handle on each end.  To remove it you simply fold one half on top of the other and then slide it off to one end.  Each handle is made of fabric and carefully stitched into the vinyl for strength.

That morning in the darkness of a cold October day, I discovered a small seedling growing from the seam of the handle facing the door.

It was about 3/4 of an inch tall and the only survivor of the first plant killing frost of autumn that very day.

I rubbed my eyes again and went back into the house to get my glasses. Upon closer look, I was amazed at what I saw.  This tiny seed found its way into the side of the handle and without hesitation and against all odds it began to grow.

There it was.  "Grow."  It was spectacular!  Fabulous! Wonderful! Now eager to see the sunrise I hurried through my morning routine and grabbed my camera

I had to capture this.  I had to take this picture and place it somewhere where I can be reminded everyday.

Reminded of what?

Everything does not have to be perfect. Nothing has to make complete sense. All the parts don't have to be in place. All plans don't have to be made nor the timing absolute. You hear "no" but feel, "yes"; You want to "go" but feel the need to "stop"; You want to "win" and fear you might "lose."

Take a moment to realize that everything God wants for you, everything God sees in you, everything you are and everything you will be is already ready inside.  Like the seed, wherever you land you can "grow."

When the seed ended up in the handle of my hot tub, it did not waste a moment to moan, complain, whine, cry or curse.  Right where it was, God provided everything it needed to become everything He created it to be.

You might well point out that it is not where seeds belong.  It will not thrive there.  It is doomed and wasted.

You would be wrong.

It was chosen by God to be there for me when I needed to be encouraged and inspired.  And in turn, God knew I would share this with you.

A seed planted.  A man inspired.  A story shared.

It's not where you are planted, but how much you "Grow."

Now . . . Grow!

~ Bob Perks ~
2believe@comcast.net

[ by: Bob Perks Copyright © 2007 (2believe@comcast.net) -- {used with permission} ]