| After my disastrous experience with discount house | | | | protecting each new bud of my spiritual growth; but |
| plants, I decided to buy my plants from so-called | | | | eventually there came the time when I was |
| "reputable" growers. The hot steam in these houses | | | | expected to "harden off" so I could be of service to |
| fogged up my glasses so, I reasoned, this | | | | You midst the harsh realities of this fallen world. |
| environment was certainly more conducive to healthy | | | | I will never understand why You chose frail human |
| plant growth. Alas, "hot house" plants didn't fare any | | | | beings to bring about Your Kingdom, Lord. You must |
| better than the discount ones. The growers had not | | | | trust us more than I do! One thing I know: I can not |
| "wasted time" on slowly acclimating their plants to | | | | be of service to You if I am wilting at every dose of |
| less desirable environments -- commonly referred to | | | | reality. Along with the reality of life, You graciously |
| as "reality." | | | | give me a new reality of things not yet seen, but |
| You are my Grower, Lord, and You never grow "hot | | | | hoped for, and I am expected to use this new reality |
| house plants." A hot house Hibiscus is of no use to | | | | as a gardener uses vitamin B for his plants. |
| You. You call me to be in the world -- not to run | | | | Have I told you lately, Lord, that I am grateful You |
| away from the reality of the world. | | | | have not allowed me to hide in the Hot House? |
| True, you took time to slowly acclimate me, | | | | "Be in the world, not of the world! |