The Ugly Poinsettia

Several years ago, my wife and I were gifted an ugly poinsettia plant. The green leaves had fallen off, the stem was crooked, and the red bracts were limp. However, it was given to us with pride by a woman in her nineties, and we cherished it through the Christmas season because of the loving attitude of the giver.

By spring I was sure it must be dead and started to throw it out when I noticed a tiny new leaf. So I repotted it. It grew and by October, I noticed the bracts slowly turning red. By Christmas, the plant was beautiful. Over the next year, I watched as it grew and noticed how patiently it dealt with the summer heat and storms. It became a healthy, green bush, and when October came, the bracts started to become bright red again.

As I observed this plant, I started to think about my life and how often I am impatient and negative. How often have I been impatient with God, wanting things now, but discovered that in good time, God blessed me with something better than my request? How often have I thought of something as ugly but with time have seen the beauty in it? How often have I quickly judged people only to find out they were kind and generous? The list could go on and on. I hope to grow like the poinsettia, with a patient and positive attitude.