The Death of Aloe

I have an aloe plant.  I got it for more than one reason, but mainly as a living decoration that seemed to brighten and cheer up the space.  It didn't require dusting as an object would, which in my house, frankly, if you are an object that needs dusting you might as well hang up your hat; so, it doesn't require dusting and it doesn't require much water, and it always brings a smile to my face when I am at the sink.

This week as I was checking on my aloe friend, I reached out to touch one of the new shoots and the entire plant fell into my hand. I was rather bummed at the turn of events but brought the pot into the kitchen and disposed of the plant.  Moments later as I was preparing dinner, my son drops through and says, "Ahh, so you found out about the aloe plant, huh?" and he continued on his way.

Let's take pause right here.  Basically this is all you need to know about parenting.

Everything eventually comes to light.  Maybe in 47 years or 47 minutes.

I followed him and inquired about my beautiful, still green but dead, friend.  "You knew the plant was dead and you just propped it up and left it there?"  "Yeah, sure, I just didn't know what to do with it, so I tried to rebury it."

I think this is not unique in life.  I encounter death more than I am willing to acknowledge or admit. It comes in many forms: relational, spiritual, physical, mental.  I am quick to either 1)ignore it or 2) prop it up a bit and assume it will hold.  Sometimes death occurs at such a long and slow pace I am not even aware it has happened.  When was the last time I opened my Bible?  When was the last time I cleared my calendar for a friend?   Now, I really wanted to phone a friend before I typed more so I would be good there but isn't that exactly a "prop it up" scenario?  That certainly doesn't fix anything, and the trite response lends to an even deeper truth, "if that is my fix, how much does it mean in the first place?"  Motive is important.  I submit that motive is often more important than action.  The numerous people who have heard an empty "I love you," can attest.  Don't say it unless you mean it, right?  We all know that.  If your intent and heart are not fully there than the action and words mean nothing.

My aloe plant is in the garbage.

The flower pot is siting forlornly in the kitchen waiting for me to remove the dirt and begin anew.

I'm letting it sit there.

It is reminding me to more carefully tend what is mine.

Aloe 2.0 will cost less than $5, but what of the value of friendship? What of the value of our physical health?  What of the value of God who has so clearly demonstrated his love for us?

I have consumed three bottles of water today.  You can only gauge the significance of this if you are a personal friend.  I drink very little fluid on any given day and water is the last thing I would choose.  I am making an extremely conscious effort to improve this for my health.

I have not phoned a friend, but I had meaningful conversations with my children and husband.

To Jesus, whom I should surrender all....  I've not had a lot of conversation today.  Spiritual death is the worst and yet the easiest in this life.  We rush and rush doing all sorts of  profitable "busyness" and crash into....nothing.

I'm going to keep the empty flower pot in my kitchen a little longer.

Propped up relationships mean little.

Read that Bible.  Phone a friend.  Oh, and sneak in some sweet tea.  I heard from a friend that water is overrated.