Sunshine to our soul

Let me share an experience on gardening. 

One exercise Anna and I went through when we came to live in my mother's cottage five months back was to find plants that we can grow in the garden which would need less water, attention and tending. That is how we came across crotons, which would meet his criteria.

We have nearly hundred of them now, some in pots and others directly planted on the soil. The ones on the soil have flourished well and are adorable for their colour and copious foliage. The colour is at its best when it is exposed to direct sunlight. They would need no additional care or protection  in summer, except regular watering. They grow on their own and are not vulnerable to plant pests.

I receive a message from these plants. They are most colourful when they are in direct sunlight. 

This holds good for those who desire to live radiantly and fruitfully. They would need this given grace of love, patience, kindness and forgiveness. I heard a ten year old girl ask her father, 'why are you asking me to read the Bible every day, that too in the morning and evening'. He replied, 'it is the sunshine to your soul which is what forms your character '.

I asked a teenage group coming from religious families about their habit of reading the Bible. Only two out of 25 did speak of it as a daily habit. 

I wish all of us would welcome this sunshine  by regular discipline! When reading habits decline, and the viewing habit replaces it, we are vulnerable to every voice which is less than sane or sober or wise because entertainment or reporting of the news carry less moral fortitude. We feed ourselves with everything less than, pure, truthful, edifying and transforming. 

Saint Paul, a writer of many books in the new testament had this, to say in Philippians.4:8. 'Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things'.  

Thoughts generate our actions. May we wisely invest in sober thoughts!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)