Christian growth

The Amaryllis is perhaps one of my favorite symbols of new life in Jesus. Why? It symbolizes the beauty of resting in Christ and living expectantly. As with many of the traditions I hold dear, this one, too, originates with my mother who bought a red amaryllis bulb at the beginning of the Christmas season.  My sister, Vicki, and I enthusiastically watched her bury the ugly brown bulb in a flower pot. Then, we helped her pat the soil around it.  As a young child, it was hard to believe that a beautiful red flower would emerge from the dead-looking bulb.  Every day we would check the bulb searching for a sign of life.  Mother faithfully watered the plant and assured us, “It’ll grow.”  Finally, the day would come. We’d discover a tiny green stem protruding from the bulb.  Then the stem would grow before our eyes, becoming taller and stronger each day until finally, pregnant with life, it bloomed. That which had been brown and lifeless emerged with red showy flowers.  It was only natural that I continued the tradition with our children and explained the spiritual significance of each stage of the plant.  First, in order to be who Christ intends us to be, we must identify with Him in His death.  Dying to ourselves includes burying ourselves in the Bible to learn His ways.  It means filling our dry souls with the daily flow of the Holy Spirit who is as living water within us. We must also rest in Christ and trust Him for our growth, knowing that as my mother assured us about the amaryllis, “It’ll grow,” so we will one day emerge in heaven in full bloom.  So will our Christian children.  Be assured, sweet friends, in times when there seems to be no activity and no growth, “God is causing the growth,” (1 Corinthians 3:6).

4 Days till CHRISTMAS!  Do you need a last minute gift? How about a donation in honor of that special someone who already has everything? We’ll let them know of your thoughtfulness and our ongoing mission to spread the Word and love of Jesus. In the “notes” or “comments” section, provide the name and address of the person you are honoring. We’ll take care of the rest. Thank you! And remember, your donation is tax-deductible. Questions? Email me: [email protected].

Copyright, “Preparing Our Hearts for Christmas,” by Debbie Taylor Williams

The amaryllis is perhaps one of my favorite symbols of new life in Jesus. Why? It symbolizes the beauty of resting in Christ and living expectantly. As with many of the traditions I hold dear, this one, too, originates with my mother who bought a red amaryllis bulb at the beginning of the Christmas season.  My sister, Vicki, and I enthusiastically watched her bury the ugly brown bulb in a flower pot. Then, we helped her pat the soil around it.  As a young child, it was hard to believe that a beautiful red flower would emerge from the dead looking bulb.  Every day we would check the bulb searching for a sign of life.  Mother faithfully watered the plant and assured us, “It’ll grow.”  Finally the day would come. We’d discover a tiny green stem protruding from the bulb.  Then the stem would grow before our eyes, becoming taller and stronger each day until finally, pregnant with life, it bloomed. That which had been brown and lifeless emerged with red showy flowers.  It was only natural that I continued the tradition with our children and explained the spiritual significance of each stage of the plant.  First, in order to be who Christ intends us to be, we must identify with Him in His death.  Dying to ourselves includes burying ourselves in the Bible to learn His ways.  It means filling our dry souls with the daily flow of the Holy Spirit who is as living water within us. We must also rest in Christ and trust Him for our growth, knowing that as my mother assured us about the amaryllis, “It’ll grow,” so we will one day emerge in heaven in full bloom.  So will our Christian children.  Be assured, sweet friends, in times when there seems to be no activity and no growth, “God is causing the growth,” (1 Corinthians 3:6).

3 Days till CHRISTMAS!  Do you need a last minute gift? How about a donation in honor of that special someone who already has everything? We’ll let them know of your thoughtfulness and our ongoing mission to spread the Word and love of Jesus. In the “notes” or “comments” section, provide the name and address of the person you are honoring. We’ll take care of the rest. Thank you! And remember, your donation is tax-deductible. Questions? Email me: [email protected].

Copyright, “Preparing Our Hearts for Christmas,” by Debbie Taylor Williams

Copyright, “Preparing Our Hearts for Christmas,” by Debbie Taylor Williams

The amaryllis is perhaps one of my favorite symbols of new life in Jesus, carrying with it the message to rest in Christ and live expectantly. As with many traditions, my mother brought a red amaryllis bulb into our home at the beginning of the Christmas season.  My sister, Vicki, and I enthusiastically watched her bury the ugly brown bulb in a flower pot. Then, we helped her pat the soil around it.  As a young child it was hard to believe that a beautiful red flower would emerge from the dead looking bulb.  Every day we would check the bulb searching for green life.  Mother faithfully watered the plant and assured us, “It’ll grow.”  Finally, the day would come. We’d discover a tiny green stem protruding from the bulb.  Then the stem would grown before our eyes, becoming taller and stronger each day until finally, pregnant with life, it bloomed. That which had been brown and lifeless emerged with red, beautiful, showy flowers.  It was only natural that I continued the tradition with our children and explained the spiritual significance of each stage of the plant.  First, in order to be who Christ intends us to be, we must identify with Him in His death.  Dying to ourselves includes burying ourselves in the Bible to learn His ways.  It means filling our dry souls with the daily flow of the Holy Spirit who is as living water within us. We must also rest in Christ and trust Him for our growth, knowing that as my mother assured us about the amaryllis, “It’ll grow,” so we will one day emerge in heaven in full bloom.  So will our Christian children.  So be assured, sweet friends, in times when there seems to be no activity of no growth, “God is causing the growth,” (1 Corinthians 3:6).

3 Days til CHRISTMAS!  Do you need a last minute gift? How about a donation in honor of that special someone who already has everything? We’ll let them know of your thoughtfulness and our ongoing mission to spread the Word and love of Jesus. In the “notes” or “comments” section, provide the name and address of the person you are honoring. We’ll take care of the rest. Thank you! And remember, your donation is tax deductible. Questions? Email me: [email protected].