The Watering Can

Carol Condon
carolcondon5@aol.com

The sun was shining bright and the blinds were opened wide so that on this cold, wintry day we could all enjoy some sunshine. I had my little notebook of “all the things not to forget while packing” and was slowly marking them off. I felt pretty confident that I hadn’t forgotten any thing and began to relax on the way to the airport.

As usual, our time away passed very quickly and soon we were packing up to head back home. It wasn’t until I walked back into our bedroom that I was made aware of what I had forgotten. There, next to our window, sat a very special plant drooping all over the floor.

In the past two years I have lost two very special people from my life. My precious Dad passed away in December of 2008 and then just in October of 2010 my sweet niece, Tamara, suddenly passed away. I was given some floor plants from the memorial services that I have worked quite hard on considering I am far from a “green thumb.” They are very special to me and I try to keep a strict schedule for watering them and turning them so that their growth will be even. However, in my rush to leave I had watered all my plants but the one in our bedroom.

The plant was still green but every leaf was now touching the ground. It wasn’t dried up and brown but it was easy to see that is was very thirsty. I ran for the watering can and poured the water into this parched plant. I could only hope that I wasn’t too late.

The next morning I looked over to my plant and I could see the leaves stretching up toward the ceiling. I began to consider my life, and the times I have found myself thirsty from not properly hydrating myself in Him. Are we like this plant? Do we find ourselves without the strength to hold our hands stretched forward in abandoned worship but instead find it easier to just sit? If we are not on a schedule to stay hydrated in Him we need to grab the watering can of His Spirit and pour away!