From One Tiny Leaf...

Matthew 17:20  "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed..."
Sometimes impossibilities can become possible!

When we moved to the South, I was amazed by the beautiful landscaping at homes, businesses, parks, etc. The landscaping was nice at our new home, but I wanted to enhance it even more. There were small rounded shrubs which had previously been planted in a long flower box beside of the pool. I thought hibiscus would be beautiful in that location since they are so tropical-looking, and eventually I bought and planted 4 healthy hibiscus plants: 2 red and 2 pink. After several growing seasons, the 2 red hibiscus had grown taller than our 6 ft. fence, and the 2 pink hibiscus were just a foot or so shorter. All 4 plants were blooming profusely most of the year!

Then came the "freeze". We don't get many days with temperatures below freezing in the South, but sometimes it happens. In the late winter/early spring after those harsh freezing temperatures, it appeared that the hibiscus were all dead.  They had lost their leaves in previous winters following freezing temperatures, but this was different. The trunks were rotted, and they crumbled to the touch. We planned to replace all 4 hibiscus with new plants as soon as the weather warmed enough. My husband and I were pulling the remaining pieces of trunk from the ground when I spotted something green on the trunk of one of the red hibiscus - It was a tiny leaf! I excitedly showed it to my husband and asked if he thought that this hibiscus would live. He was rather skeptical, but he said he was okay with leaving it alone to see what would happen.

That spring and summer I had health problems, and unfortunately I did not get to plant anything. Surprisingly, the "lone" red hibiscus continued to grow! It was amazing to walk outside and see the new growth of the hibiscus and the first buds turn into spectacular bright red flowers. The hummingbirds returned and enjoyed the nectar from the many exotic flowers. 

That hardy hibiscus has continued to grow by leaps and bounds, so no other plant has been planted beside it. It is now approximately 15 feet wide and 12 feet tall, and its massiveness now fills the entire flower bed!

As my health has improved, I have often thought that there were some very important lessons in that one tiny leaf:

• Don't give up, no matter how critical the situation may be. 
• Have faith that better things are to come. 
• Continue to press on, even if those around you are negative and try to pull you down.
• When it seems like all is lost, there is still that glimmer of hope.

Matthew 17:20  If you have faith as small as a mustard seed...

I am so glad that I saw that tiny leaf and did not pull the trunk out of the ground. I am thankful for my renewed health and vitality. I am extremely grateful that God has not given up on me.

...from one tiny leaf...