I remembered this post as I hauled a potted lemon tree into my kitchen, and a nine-footed potted palm tree into my living room. My kalanchos still line the kitchen floor… Maybe you are in the same boat as the winter storm settles in.
The thermometer has dropped just enough below sub-tropical temperatures as to threaten my motley assortment of botanical experiments, which normally reside on my kitchen patio. Each has a story, each a significant investment of love and attention, water and pruning. They are practically family – being nurtured along in various stages of rehabilitation, growth and development. Brief snaps of 30 degree weather sound un-intimidating, but not if you are a hibiscus, still in full bloom, and in fact putting out new growth.
So with an impending freeze, I scurried around bringing my newly rooted,and tender-shooted friends in for a night of warmth. My kitchen is now a makeshift greenhouse. It is in a state of blooming frenzy. I have to tell my husband not to kick the begonia as he makes his way to the coffee pot. And would everyone please carefully step over the kalanchos, should you need anything out of the silverware drawer. Other than that, it’s business as usual in my kitchen.
I had a hard time deciding which were the most dire cases, and in greatest need of the refuge for the night. But in the end, just about all made it indoors. Hence the chaos. I simply could not choose one over another. I admit it is a little inconvenient to make the kitchen into a hothouse, but life is at stake. And that’s what got me thinking about the importance of this amusing scene.
This winter, especially over Christmas, we had plenty of opportunity to be inconvenienced and even drawn into chaos by those in our lives… those in various stages of rehabilitation, growth, and development… who needed a little extra tender care. What I realize as Christians, is that we have a warm refuge, not only in our homes but in our hearts. How many people need a safe place to come in from the cold, come in from the threat, so they can continue the growth that God has already started in them. And yes, it means we have to rearrange a bit, and do things in a new way, and routines are thrown in disarray. But there is life at stake. In return, however, we find ourselves surrounded by a blooming extravaganza. Verdant life and joy and beauty filling up our spaces that otherwise seem a little empty and lifeless. Which is no surprise, because when we let others into our lives, we let Jesus in.
“Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?” And He answers us, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” ( Matthew 25:37-40)
Let us not be choosy about whom we open our hearts to this year. Let us open them wide for all, and all kinds to come in. And may your pots be full to overflowing, season upon season bringing you much life and peace.
“Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide…do not hold back” Isaiah 54:2