Faith can grow even in the most barren places.
I was recently looking at my grassless backyard. We have tons of hardwoods back there which provide us with fabulous shade, but they also keep us from having any grass. The shade is simply not conducive for it to grow, so it’s definitely not a typical postcard backyard. When you look at it from a distance, depending on the season, it looks downright barren.
I was recently thinking about our seemingly barren backyard as I sat by our goldfish pond, when my eyes settled on a moss covered rock. It was thick and a brilliant shade of green. I moved in closer to get a better look. I marveled for a moment, at how something that vibrant could grow with such little sustenance. It was growing on a rock of all things.
As someone who likes to grow things, I find it kind of amazing that it doesn’t require fertile soil and very little light to thrive. The conditions certainly don’t seem ideal. When I grow something, I fertilize it and water it. I watch for pests. I do some research to plant things in the ideal spot and it sometimes still fails to thrive.
As I looked closer, a tiny frog, resting in it, caught my eye. I was delighted to see this tiny creature enjoying the moss. Apparently, the landscape wasn’t at all barren for him. He didn’t require the traditional yard to thrive.
I thought about that little frog on that moss patch, long after I went back inside. I thought about how we tend to strive for what the world deems ideal in our lives. We seek the ideal job, the ideal mate, the ideal house and yes, the ideal yard.
And when these ideal things eventually fail to meet our expectations, we feel disillusioned.
But, who decides what’s ideal?
What if ideal is where God has planted us at this moment because He has a plan and He works all things together for those who love Him?
What if our challenge for today is to thrive wherever we happen to be?
The moss and the frog reminded me that beauty and life can spring forth in even the most barren places. Sometimes I need reminding. Perhaps you do too.
Have an awesome day!
Wendy 🙂