Monday Motivation: Parable Of The Vinca

Friends

My father recently gave me the best description I have ever heard for the term “parable.” He said, “A parable is an earthly story with a heavenly message.” I love that definition, don’t you? Friends, Jesus could have made a parable out of my driveway. Check out the picture below, and you will see why. Ha! On this Monday morning, the impromptu garden in the middle of my driveway seems like a story worth sharing, so here’s my best shot at a parable for you!

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“It will be a shelter and shade from the heat of the day, and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and rain.”

Isaiah 4:6 – NIV

“Tell us a story,” the students called out to their beloved teacher.

The teacher smiled and sat down to rest. He began his story with these words, “There once was a row of bright blue flower pots that sat on a tiny hill at the top of a concrete driveway. Each Spring, the gardener planted tiny seedlings in each pot, and the seedlings grew to be beautiful brightly colored flowers. The gardener smiled upon the beautiful flowers and named them Vinca.”

“Over the summer months, the pretty blooms dropped tiny seeds into the dark, rich soil inside the bright blue flower pots. Most of the seeds fell into the center of each pot. As time passed, the seeds burrowed down deep into the lush thick soil, feeling cozy and comfortable. They settled in to wait for the next spring when they would bring forth bright blooms.”

“But some of the seeds were dropped near the edge of each of the bright blue pots. When the rains came, the water washed the seeds over the edge, sliding down the side of the pots, and onto the concrete driveway below.”

“Some of the seeds fell into a stream of rushing water, moving fast, floating straight down the driveway and into the busy street, never to be seen again.”

“A few seeds floated to the edge of the driveway and settled into the bright green grass. Finding good soil, they planted themselves and bloomed brightly. But when the lawn mower came along, the blades grabbed the flowers and cut them down.”

“Still, other seeds floated out of the pot and down the middle of the driveway. These seeds were moving slower, and when they passed by a crack in the concrete, they clung to it, so they would float no further. There in the crack, they found a sliver of soil and burrowed down to find a safe place to rest. The deeper the seeds dug, the more rich soil they found waiting for them under the warm blanket of concrete.”

“Summer turned to Fall, and the seeds that fell in the middle of each pot found the easy life, remaining cozy and comfortable in their hiding place. But when November came along, the gardener mixed up the soil and planted new flowers that she named Viola. The Vinca’s comfortable life beneath the dark, rich soil was abruptly disturbed. The small seeds were uprooted from their cozy nest, and when Spring came again, no seedlings grew in the blue pots.”

“Yet, the seeds that clung to the cracks, that found a home in the broken concrete, survived the cold winter by digging deep into the good soil beneath their strong shelter. When the howling winds and the icy rain came, the seeds remained warm and safe in their refuge. The winter sun warmed the concrete, and just the right amount of water drained into the soil through the cracks. When Spring came again, the seeds were strong and healthy. They brought forth lush, green seedlings that erupted into a cascade of beautiful blooms.”

“The gardener saw these gorgeous Vinca and smiled. She called them good, for they were even more beautiful than anything she had ever planted in the pots.”

The students asked, “Teacher, what does the story mean?”

The teacher replied, “The seeds that found the rushing water were in a hurry, focused on the pleasures of the world, never taking time to cultivate their faith. They were easily washed away by the busyness of life and were lost.”

“The seeds that found the soil within the green grass bloomed brightly for a time, but when the struggles of life drew near, their faith was shallow and easily cut down by the hardships of life.”

“The seeds that fell in the middle of the pot had the best soil available, the best opportunity to bloom brightly when the spring came, but they grew too comfortable with their easy life, never refining their faith, never preparing themselves for the adversity that might come their way. They grew weak, lazy, and self-centered. When hard times came and their comfortable life was disturbed, they were easily tossed aside, never to bloom again.”

“But the seeds that washed near the cracks, reached out, and clung to their faith. They dug deep and found their refuge, their hiding place. They chose the best shelter, well protected when the chilling winds of adversity came. They grew strong , rising out of the brokenness of life to bloom brightly and make the gardener smile.”

Finishing his story, the teacher smiled kindly at his pupils and said, “Take shelter in the Refuge that will never fail. Cling to Christ as you pass through the cracks of life. Dig deep and cultivate the seeds of faith, trusting always that God, the Master Gardener, can bring beauty out of brokenness.”

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“You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.”

Psalm 32:7 – NIV

PRAYER

O Lord God, You are our hiding place. You are our Rock Eternal. O Lord Jesus, just as You taught Your disciples long ago, teach us now to cling to You, to strengthen our faith and place our trust always and forever in You.

In the Strong Name of Jesus, we pray,

Amen

Blessings,

Anita

-APS 9/4/2023