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“Yet at the scent of water it will bud and put forth shoots like a plant” (Job 14:9).

One morning my sweet wife brought a pot of flowers to my attention, a pot we had forgotten for a few days. Not on purpose, just overlooked because it was in an out-of-the-way place. When we discovered the dead flowers, we almost gave up and threw them away. For some reason, I just could not give up on them. Though they were dead and ugly with no life left in them, I saw them as they could be—beautiful. I moved the container into the sun for better warmth and watered them daily, speaking uplifting words of life over them. These flowers belonged to me; I would not quit on them or give up—not yet. They had my singular attention as I coaxed them back to life. I do not know why I had such love for dead flowers, but I knew the Lord was up to something with them. To my surprise, the lifeless flowers came back to life. They bloomed once again. They were absolutely beautiful. I moved them to the front of the house for all to see and enjoy. Dare we take a lesson from those dead flowers?

The Master Gardner keeps an eye on His garden. He notices when one of his flowers falls prey to the circumstances of life. He sees when they have been neglected and are hopelessly wilting. The enemy charges in and blocks them from life-giving light and warmth. Without water, they are in a season of drought, without love or attention. The rest of the garden loses hope in the lifeless flowers. It is time to throw them away—after all, they are dead and gone, and they make the rest of the garden look bad. There is no hope for them now.

But the Master Gardener tenderly notices the sad flowers and picks them up and moves them away from hopelessness, to give them His undivided attention and care. He places them in the light of His love and the warmth of His divine presence. He restores them with the waters of life as He tenderly speaks words of encouragement. He gently touches them with His healing virtue.

These flowers come back to life; they are beautiful in every way, the sweet fragrance of His presence comes forth, blessing those around them. The Master Gardener displays them for all to see a true testimony of His restorative, healing love.

The Master Gardener Notices You

You may feel like a pot of dead flowers today. Perhaps you have been in an out-of-the-way place, overlooked by others, with no warmth of love or light. Maybe you have been dry, without the necessary water to refresh and restore you. You might even feel neglected and alone. Your spirit feels wilted and dead. You are dry, and your heart is becoming hard and crusty. I see the gentle Master Gardener Jesus approaching you now. He takes notice of you. He will not forget you in your time of struggle. He tenderly picks you up while ignoring the voices around you that declare you dead and hopeless. He moves you to His favorite spot in the garden, where He lavishes you with His love and attention. He pours water in every wound and declares you are His and not to be ignored or thrown away. Your hard heart is now softening in His hands. He heals you. He restores and revives you. He encourages you with comfort and kindness.

The full garden takes notice that at the scent of water, you begin to bud and put forth beautiful shoots. You are alive and not dead. He proudly picks you up and displays to the world what He has done. His love has made all things new! The sweet fragrance of the Master Gardener is upon you. His loving touch has healed you. His tender care has once again restored you to full bloom. You were once dead but are now the loveliest flower in His garden. The Master Gardener will use you to build the faith of others, as you let him show you off, proving that once again, He is faithful to the end.

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