Lessons From a Pothos Plant

In her post "A New Adventure", the Swallow described her experience growing several plants in water, using a method called Hydroponics.

The Pothos plant was one of these plants.  As the Pothos was said to be a hardy plant which could withstand little sunlight, the Swallow placed this plant on the dining table in the hall.  Roots started growing, but some leaves turned brown and had to be discarded.   The plant looked lost in the glass it was placed in.  So it was transferred into a smaller glass container.  After a while, the plant stabilized.  There was a good root system.  However, only three leaves remained.

Although the plant was not a wonderful show, it still showed green, and the ever-optimistic Swallow decided not to throw the plant away.  A little green was better than no green.  So the plant remained on the dining table.

The Swallow was diligent in keeping the plant well hydrated.  Yet there was no growth, be it the roots or the leaves.  Still, the Pothos plant stayed alive.

A couple of weeks ago, the Swallow moved some of her plants from the balcony into her bedroom.  This was to allow some plants to continue receiving adequate sunlight as the sun had changed its direction and more sunlight seemed to be streaming into the Swallow's bedroom.  With the vacuum in the balcony, the Swallow moved the Pothos plant from the dining table to the balcony.

It was a wise move.  Several days back, the Pothos plant started growing more roots, and behold....a new leaf!

Some observations from the Pothos plant...

• the root system - the Pothos plant had a good root system which helped it to remain alive and not die.
• the water - the water provided nourishment for the Pothos plant.
• the light - water alone was not enough for the Pothos plant to produce more roots and leaves.  It required more sunlight as well.

These thoughts came as the Swallow observed the Pothos plant...

• Jesus said in John 10 : 28 - 30 (NIV), "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of My hand.  My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of My Father's hand.  I and My Father are one."  When one believes in the Lord Jesus Christ, his roots are in the right foundation.  He is spiritually alive.  Nothing can snatch him away from the Father's hand.  Once saved, always saved.
• Just as water provided nourishment for the Pothos plant, God's word provides the Christian with nourishment.
• Just as water alone is not enough for the Pothos plant, reading God's word is not enough.  The Christian must also meditate on it and obey it.  Just as sunlight is to the plant, so is walking in the light of God to the Christian.  He must be a practicing Christian, and not a NATO (no action, talk only) Christian.

A Christian - once saved is always saved.  However, he can show slow growth or no growth in the Lord.  To grow stronger in the Lord and bear more fruit, he must read God's word, meditate on it, and obey it.  He must remain in direct connection with the Lord God - bringing his daily cares to Him and rejoicing in Him always.

A popular song which children in Sunday Schools love to sing...

READ YOUR BIBLE, PRAY EVERYDAY (author unknown)

Read your Bible, pray everyday
Pray everyday, pray everyday
Read your Bible, pray everyday
And you'll grow, grow, grow
And you'll grow, grow, grow
And you'll grow, grow, grow
Read your Bible, pray everyday
And you'll grow, grow, grow.

Neglect your Bible, forget to pray
Forget to pray, forget to pray
Neglect your Bible, forget to pray
And you'll shrink, shrink, shrink
And you'll shrink, shrink, shrink
And you'll shrink, shrink, shrink
Neglect your Bible, forget to pray
And you'll shrink, shrink, shrink.

Yes, the Pothos plant was a good reminder to the Swallow...