Faith UP Friday!

That’s right…it’s Faith UP Friday! Did you wake up with the troubles of yesterday on your mind? If so, I have good news to share that will make your day: Today is a new day, a fresh start and a new beginning! It’s a day of opportunity and blessings. You don’t have to live in sadness and worry about your life. Remember yesterday’s reflection on hope? Well, hope links to faith. And faith links to making positive things happen! So get up, open the window or door and take in the crisp morning air, and make a mental note of all the things you are grateful for in this day. You can start with your life.

This post wouldn't be complete without a note about at least one of the flowers in my patio garden. I can’t go without mentioning how they can inspire us. Consider the Purslane plant also known by many other names including “resurrection plant”. It’s a plant that’s easy to grow and has a unique texture.

 

What I like most about this plant is its response to light. As the sun sets, its vibrant pink blooms (at least that’s the color of the blooms on my plant) close up. The tiny green leaves of the plant also fold together and curl making the plant look much smaller than it actually is. But when the morning sun rises and the soft breeze blows, the blooms and leaves open right up and the stems sit upright welcoming the warm sunshine. This plant seems to know how to respond to all things bright and beautiful. It lifts right up displaying colorful blooms and brings so much life to my patio garden. 

Lift up your faith today. Remember that no matter what your day brings, God has already given you the tools you need to be your best. And He’s with you every step you take.

Here are a few of my favorite Faith Up Friday pick-me-ups:

Mandisa

"Good Morning"

Chris August

"In the Center of It"

Israel Houghton

"Moving Forward"

You can send in your favorite photos, video titles, or words of inspiration to be featured on my Faith Up Friday posts - thegreenthumbinfo@gmail.com

Live Blessed.

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Hope for Restoration

So, today I had to do a little bit of trimming to my dracaena plant because I noticed a few not-so-fresh looking leaves on the smaller plant that’s nestled underneath the larger portion of the plant. I've been watching the smaller portion for quite some time now because it doesn't seem to be growing as fast as the larger portion. The leaves seem to be drooping despite my efforts to keep the plant watered and in plenty of sunlight. Maybe it’s just a slow growing plant and I just need a little more
patience with its growth. Whatever the case, trimming off the dead leaves did give me some inspiration and hope in this little plant and the fact that soon it would be rejuvenated. The trimming process is painful but helpful in that it’ll remove what’s dead in order to give more life to what’s still left. 

We’re gentle creatures just like this plant. Sometimes we are slow to mature and develop in certain areas. The delay in our growth process can be positive for our learning experience or we can choose to see it as something negative because we’re in such a hurry to reach a certain destination in our life. Or, what if it’s not you? Maybe it’s a particular thing in your life that seems delayed or expired. Well, there’s hope for the restoration of everything in your life, including you! However, with every growth process there has to be a “trimming” of things that are not beneficial to your or your success. Remember the inspiring story about the promise God made to all the families of Israel:

“Those who survive the coming destruction will find blessings even in the barren land, for I will give rest to the people of Israel.” Jeremiah 31:2

His promise included good things even in what seem like dry places, if they only trusted in Him. This meant tossing out fear, worry, and selfishness and choosing to live in hope. When we hope for something we possess expectation with confidence. Even if it means ridding certain things that aren't necessary or have expired, have the confidence to know that what’s left will be restored from the process.

My plant will be quite alright (photo above). After trimming the dying leaves I noticed at the very top hidden in the depth of the stem were tiny new buds rising up. Isn't that wonderful! Although I’m familiar with how plants grow it’s still amazing to watch as new leaves and buds appear. More updates to come on this plant!

I hope you choose to live in the hope of restoration.

Live blessed. 

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Seeds That Grow Insights: July 21 - 27

Today I reflected on this week's quote and the many occasions (not to mention good people) that helped to refine my character. Not all of the events were good ones but not all were bad. Despite the challenges that came along with each encounter, it was the experience I gained from each one that made me who I am. I'm reminded of one of the strongest flowers, pansies, and their strong resiliency. Pansies seem to withstand many types of weather conditions such as heavy snow and rain and they can maintain their

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Welcome Home....More New Additions

Recently, I visited the local plant store and brought home a few new flowers for my collection, two orchids and an African violet. These flowers are so beautiful! I'm a little nervous about caring for the orchid flowers because they are so delicate and requires more care than most of my house plants. But I'm up for the new experience! Here are a few photos of the new additions:

African Violet

Orchid

Orchid

Some tips for first-time orchid collectors: Phalaenopsis orchids are one of the most common orchid types. Their beautiful blooms can last up to nine months. This type of orchid usually grows from a single stem and requires regular watering because it is less tolerant to drought conditions. If it isn't properly taken care of, it will dry up. Be sure to place your orchid in low lit settings. That means no direct sunlight. This can cause some burning effect on your flower. Water and fertilize regularly. Each week I place three to four ice cubes in my orchid (depending on the size or the flower). I also wait at least one week to re-pot new orchids after purchasing them from the plant store (to keep from putting them in shock).

Happy Planting!

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