Water your roses daily...

10Jun
So will I always sing the praise of your Name, and day by day I will fulfill my vows” -

-Psalm 61:8


With all of the heavy rainstorms we’ve been having lately, I noticed that my side alley was starting to flood, and in a moment of inspiration at Costco, I decided to invest in a few rose bushes. I figured at the very least, they could absorb more of the rain, and even if my small effort at absorbing rainwater was as effective as a shot of Glade in a dumpster, I would be doing my part for New Orleans flood mitigation.


Apparently, roses require quite a lot of water in the first couple of weeks, so I promptly ordered a hose that took a few days to arrive. And then it stopped raining. And then there was a heat wave. The unkillable rose (Double Knockout) immediately dropped all of its petals and started withering. So I’ve been vigorously watering all of them in the mornings before my children wake up. And now I’m starting to see some new growth! Pictured above, you can see the one in the middle flanked by the other 2 that are doing a bit better, alongside the shiny new garden hose!


Which is exactly what popped into my mind, thinking about this morning’s psalm. If I drown my rose plants in water one day but neglect them for a couple of days in a heat wave, they won’t survive. If I take a long shower, I can’t skip showering for the next month. Or if I stuff myself at an all-you-can-eat buffet, I won’t just not eat for the next 4 days…you get the gist.


Why is praising God day to day any different? Why wouldn’t we want to praise God and live in accordance with His will every day? One day at church every week doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t follow God and desire to be closer during the other six days of the week.


Today’s challenge: Is there a small habit that would be easy for you to adopt every day to help in singing God’s praises and deepening your relationship? It could be as little as saying grace before eating, or reading a devotional every day. Or reading a larger section of the devotional’s Bible passage. Or listening to a short podcast on religion on the drive to work or school. Or even saying your prayers at night, just like you did when you were little.


Musical Reflection - Day by Day - Godspell


God, thank you for reminding us to live day by day. Just as we wouldn’t skip meals or showers or think that just one day of church is enough, help us to brainstorm an idea that we could start doing every day that brings us closer to You. Day by Day. Amen.

Daily Lectionary - Venite App

PsalmsSpiritual PracticePentecost

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