African Violets

A Lesson Learned: by Robin Thomas

I’m a big fan of African Violets! For whatever reason they seem to like me.

I started with one plant many years ago that has grown and been separated what seems like a million times, now African Violets line my window sill.

I water them a little bit every week and watch them grow. If you over saturate them they die, if you forget to water them, they die. Sometimes when they are separated to begin a new life they just can’t establish any roots and they die.

As I was watering one of these seemingly robust plants I noticed a lot of droopy leaves at the base that were squishy. I started pulling them off, which is not abnormal in routine upkeep, but there were so many. I then noticed that not only were the leaves at the base dying but so was the root. This plant looked terrific from the top, but the roots were decayed.

Sometimes people are like that too. They look really good on the outside, but on the inside, at their root, they are decaying. Our society praises beauty on the outside. Look at any magazine that is lined with page after page of beautiful people. How many ads have you seen lately that feature a size 14, 5’3” female with grey roots? None, I tell you, nada.

God sees you on the inside.

“But let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious.” 1 Peter 3:4

I was listening to a Keith Green song that popped up on my Facebook feed called When I Hear the Praises Start, and a line in it is:

“Nothing that you’ve done will remain, only what you do in Me.”

God cherishes INNER BEAUTY. The beauty that starts with good, honest, healthy roots.

Have you used kind words today, or spiteful and harsh?

Have you done something kind for someone today without being asked or expecting praise?

Have you picked up the phone and called someone just to say “Hi”?

These are some acts that develop inner beauty and strong roots.

Kindness is sometimes hard because it is not self-serving, but those acts will cause God to look at you, smile and say, “That’s my girl.” or “I’m proud of my boy.”

I like the quote,

“Outer beauty is a gift. Inner beauty is an accomplishment.” -Randi G. Fine

Kindness takes work. Humility takes work. Selflessness takes work.

Psalm 19:7-14 was also made into a hymn called, The Law of the Lord is Perfect.

The law of the Lord is perfect, Converting the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, Making wise the simple.

More to be desired are they than gold. Yea, than much fine gold: Sweeter also than honey And the honeycomb…

So here is the good news, rotten roots can regrow.

My poor little African Violet can be nurtured back to health with some new soil and TLC.

And people that only look good on the outside can learn to be good on the inside.

That is why our Heavenly Father sent His only son to die on the cross and give us new life. A life that is not only good on the outside but good on the inside too.