Of Love and Dead Ferns

I’m pretty sure the fern behind me is dead. It’s ok, though, because it lasted longer than I thought it would. We bought it at IKEA shortly after moving here to bring something alive into my office. It has since showed up in my Zoom calls and provided a bumper when I roll my chair back too far. As I look at it right now, however, the leaves have pretty much all turned brown and it’s looking dry and shriveled. I really don’t have anyone to blame for this other than myself. You see, as much as I wanted to take care of it, I’ve kind of failed. I remember to water it every couple of weeks at best and I end up leaving the blinds closed over the closest window because of its glare on my computer screen. So I’ve literally starved it of the two most important ingredients for success. I’ve tried giving it more water and sunshine recently but I’m afraid it’s too late.

This week many of us celebrated Valentine’s Day. It’s a day set aside to show those who are important to us that we love them. It gives us an excuse to give gifts or go out to dinner. This is great, but it’s not something that should be done only once a year. If we wait until Valentine’s Day to say “I love you” or to give tangible expressions of appreciation, then we’re starving our loved ones a lot like I’ve starved my fern. On the night before Jesus’ death, He told His disciples: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34, 35). Don’t just show your love once a year. Take care of your loved ones and your relationships will thrive - unlike my fern. Excuse me while I dump some more water on it in hopes it’ll change its mind and come back to life.