Succulent Plants

That day after his plight from crossing the borders to be able to come home before all sea travels were shut down, my son brought out a succulent plant from his luggage. Upon seeing it all flattened, I volunteered to take care of it.

Few days passed, the leaves got brighter and thicker. Then weeks passed, and the leaves began to change its color and slowly withered away. I was sad and felt guilty as I told my son that I literally killed his plant. “Why? What happened?” he asked calmly. And so, I also said calmly, “I think I overwatered.”

That was then I had a mind shift and thought to myself - so over “care” is not good. I was a bit challenged and started to read about how to take care of these hard-core yet vulnerable plants.

Succulent plants are made to survive in the dry, sunny and sandy dessert. There are only 3 things that we need to do to successfully raise them:

1. Expose to long hours of sunlight,

2. plant in a sandy soil so that they can be soaked with water then stay dry for a few days, and

3. keep them away from bugs.

It reminded me so much of our Christian life on earth. As we are going through this pandemic, these are exactly the essential things that we need:

1. Constant Sunlight – the presence of God and His word is a daily source of our strength. It gives us hope and the energy to continue to thrive and live for Him and for others.

2. Soak and Dry – the days of blessings is an opportunity to save and savor. Dry seasons are the best times to grow stronger, braver and wiser. These are also the times we realize that we do have something to give to someone more in need.

3. No bugs – the state of mind is very critical in a crisis situation. Since the mind dictates the heart, it is important to keep away from thoughts that will bring hopelessness and despair.

The final charge of Paul to young Timothy resembles these 3 things:

1. To continue to dwell on the Scriptures,

2. to persevere in sufferings, and

3. to keep his faith in God.

Succulents have become one of the most loved commodities in the house or in the garden because it brings joy and hope when you see it grow and produce a flower or an offshoot. Some succulents are said to be able to clean the air or give out more oxygen.

Like the succulents, may we bring joy in times of sorrow and hope when the days are dim.

Let us continue to dwell in Christ and His word so that we will be thoroughly equipped in every good work.

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2 Timothy 3:10-17 New International Version (NIV)

10 You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance,

11 persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.

12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

13 while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it,

15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,

17 so that the servant of God[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.