“Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?” Matthew 6:28b-30
Consider the hibiscus.
I do precisely that, every day, from May until October. That’s the time period I am exposed to an explosion of bright blossoms from my beloved plants. Our garden has both the annual and perennial varieties of this shrub that thrives in tropical climates.
No, I don’t live in Hawaii or Malaysia – both of which feature the hibiscus as the official flower; just suburban Virginia. And it is HOT in the summer, so my hibiscus plants experience ideal growing conditions from early summer until the first frost.
I was originally introduced to these uniquely beautiful flowers by my late mother, who nurtured and appreciated hibiscus plants at our home in South Carolina. She even entered some of her prized platter-sized blossoms in the county fair.
Though they germinate in sunny conditions all over the world and come in countless colors and varieties, most hibiscus share one trait: the flowers last for only one day.
It is with bittersweet poignancy that I carry on the family tradition of growing and enjoying hibiscus. Like the blossoms, my vibrant mom died after too short a time. With many plans and much life ahead of her, she succumbed to colon cancer in her 50s.
Both the hibiscus flower and my mom symbolize beauty, success, glory, hospitality, and femininity.
Unlike the only-one-day-to-live hibiscus blossom, none of us knows how long we will be on this earth. I, for one, would like to take some cues from the short-lived flower (and my mom): Bloom where you are planted. Keep the faith. Be bright. Be beautiful. Never give up. Bring joy to others.
Consider the hibiscus, how it blooms. Even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God has created the hibiscus blossom which today is, and tomorrow is thrown in the refuse pile, will He not much more do for you? To Him be the glory!