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Listen while you read: "It Is Well With My Soul"1
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When I left my place of employment 35 years ago, I was given an hibiscus tree in a pot. We moved it with us, and it grew into a beautiful tree that was about four feet tall and three feet wide. In the summer, we would put it outside, and then bring it in during the fall season. It would flower throughout the winter, and then we would repeat the process. Occasionally, we would have to treat it for flies and other ailments.
Last fall when it was time for it to come in, it seemed to be struggling a bit, so we took a sample down to the local garden centre. The owner diagnosed it as having a disease common to these plants that can be outside. He said that there was no treatment for it.
But he had no idea how much this plant meant to us. We did a bit of research and changed the soil, but it continued to deteriorate. By January of this year, it had no leaves; it was just a trunk with branches. We admitted defeat and put it outside for the remainder of the winter. We live in Canada, with snow and very cold winter temperatures. When spring came, we figured that it was time to dispose of it. I started to cut it back and put it into bags. My husband said that I should leave the trunk for now.
About two weeks later, the trunk started to show green leaves. We were ecstatic. We moved it back to the garden for the summer, and I am happy to report that we just brought it back into the house this fall. It has a long way to go to regain the growth it once had, but with time and nurture, we will see flowers from this plant again.
As I reflect on this, I am reminded of the times when Jesus saw life in people when no one else did. At times, even His disciples were unable to see what He saw. Jesus saw the faith of a paralyzed man and his friends who lowered him through the roof to Jesus. Jesus saw Matthew, the tax collector turned disciple. Then in the midst of a crowd, a bleeding woman touched just His cloak and found herself healed. When the people came to hear Him preach the good news and receive healing, Jesus saw them with a shepherd's eye:
Matthew 9:36 – When he saw the crowds, he felt compassion for them because they were distressed and dejected, like a sheep without a shepherd. (CSB)
It is so easy for us to see a person or a circumstance and make a negative judgement call, but what if we took our view from what Jesus sees? And what about you when your life seems to show no hope and needs life? What possibilities does Jesus see in you?
Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank You that You came for us to have abundant life. Thank You that even though others can see no hope in people and situations, we have a God Who sees life in everything. Help us to be close in relationship with You, Who always sees life in us. In Your name, we pray. Amen.
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About the author:
Julie Bowles <julieanni@rogers.com>
Barrie, Ontario, Canada
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Thanks Julie, blessings.
Thanks for the encouraging words, Julie.
This is beautiful. Thanks for sharing, Julie.
Thank you so much. I needed this message today.
Thank you, Julie. Your last paragraph is right on target!
What a beautiful story and devotional! Thank you! I needed that.
Thank you.
Blessings
Thank you, Julie, for today’s devotion.
It’s very good.
Blessings,
(Québec)
Thank you, Julie, for your encouraging devotional today. It was just what I needed . . . ‘to see life’ on a dreary day. May God continue to bless you as you continue to write devotionals for our ‘spiritual nourishment’.
Julie, thank you for stimulating my thoughts about how if we notice a person who is struggling and we respond with loving care, and pray, God can use those acts to help restore them. It’s His love and care at work through us.
I appreciate your writing today.
Good morning, Julie.
Happy to hear about the hibiscus!!
Yes, this is a regular part of my prayers… Jesus please let me see people and things the way You see, ears to hear, and obedience to do.
God bless.
Good morning, Julie,
A great story of your hibiscus tree and how much it meant to you and that you still have it. Definitely our faith in Jesus provides us hope during the difficult times and provides us with new life. I was wonderful that your husband suggested leaving the trunk until the spring. Divine intervention. Thanks for sharing. Blessings.
Thank you, Julie, for your very encouraging devotional today. It sounds like your Hibiscus plant is starting to flourish again and I hope you get to enjoy its fullness again. Yes, our life can be down at times too, but when we seek Jesus and follow His ways, we can be so uplifted and restored to much abundance in our daily lives. He is so deserving of our faithfulness and praise. Blessings for your writings.
Thanks, Julie! Reading in John 16, affirms all your devotional! With gratitude,
(BC)
Thanks Julie
I do a lot of work with Teen Challenge – a residential Christian program for young addicts. Most of these people would be written off by many of us prior to their year long stay there; but I have witnessed complete new births of many there after they experienced the complete healing offered by the Holy Spirit – particularly of a 19 year old addict and thief who is now, 10 years later, a wonderful, loving husband and father, an accountant to a thriving local business, and strong member of his church.
(BC)
Dear Julie,
What an amazing miracle for your hibiscus tree! I know how cold the winters are.
I do appreciate your Devotionals. I am sorry that I don’t very often take the time to say thank you to all the writers who are sending such encouraging words.
May God continue to bless you and even give you flowers on your hibiscus next year.