God is a Charming Gardener. Watch him cluster out the weeds and tangle the soil with seed.

You have a delightful inheritance.

Yesterday afternoon I was sitting outside a bit with a few of my family members. The sun was warm, the breeze gentle and the rays gleamed something refreshing as they peeked at us through the green of the leaf on the trees. The atmosphere gave sway in the background and listened in on what we had to say.

My daughter was sharing with me about some house plants she had purchased for her new apartment and she was determined to become an expert at houseplants. She told me about this app where you can upload a photo of your plant and it will identify it and then you can search the web on best climate, water, etc. for any given green. Fascinating! Technology has for sure made us better at everything. Access to all information lives at our fingertips.

People can be like houseplants.

Houseplants take a special touch. I’ve always loved the flowerbed and digging in the dirt. But houseplants—-well, let’s just say I need that app!

Perception is everyone’s reality unless they know this and are willing to yield opinion to get to the facts. For example, you can perceive your houseplant is dry by looking at it so you give it some water. But if you haven’t poked your finger in the soil you may discover it wasn’t dry at the root and you’ve now overwatered and the saturation injures your plant. People are the same. They may look or appear one way, but until we stick our finger into their soul, not to harm or point fingers, but to reach in, nestle in and learn and grow with them. We know how they receive best and we can speak to them in their language of heart, not our own.

Relationships are thick with potential and promise, but they are also occupied with people. I love people. I truly do. Just look at all as you might look at a garden or flowerbed—each adds color and glorious hue. Love hard today. Heaven has sown something magical in you. Grow with it and become lovely with Splendor.

~Nicole

“I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work.” 1 Cor. 3:6-8