The Beauty of an Amaryllis

Friday's Fun

What could be more beautiful on a dreary winter day than a gorgeous flowering Amaryllis?

About a week ago Pops helped one of our grandchildren plant an Amaryllis bulb; it is now sitting on a shelf near a kitchen window. The stalk is really popping up! According to what I’ve read on the Internet, there should be a flower in about 7-10 weeks ... hopefully by Valentine’s Day.

I took a picture of a granddaughter holding the bulb before it was planted and again when it was in the pot. I think we'll measure the height of the stalk once a week and jot this down on the calendar. We may even have a little guessing game to see who can guess when the Amaryllis will bloom.

To add a spiritual dimension, as I watch the development of the Amaryllis with my grandchildren, we'll talk about how God made everything. Waiting for the flower to bloom will be a good exercise in patience for them ... and me. It makes me think of the saying, “All things come to he who waits," and Psalm 33:20, “Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.”

There’s still time for you and your grand to enjoy the beauty of an Amaryllis in your home this winter—if you plant one soon. You can get them from your local nursery or on the Internet.

Speaking of Internet, I just read that an Amaryllis will flower again if you cut the old flowers from the stem after they bloom, and when the stem starts to sag, cut it back to the top of the bulb. I’m going to try this.

Happy planting!

He is able,
Mary
Mary
www.marymaywrites.com
http://grandconnection.blogspot.com

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Plugged In

Tuesday’s Thought

Last week, a fluorescent light burned out above my desk at work. It was on one minute and off the next. Before a helpful man in the Facilities Department replaced the light, he asked: “What’s wrong with it?”

“Oh, it’s burned out,” I knowingly answered. I had tried turning it off and on several times before requesting a new light. I was sure it was burned out.

“Have you checked to see if it’s plugged in?” He asked.

Hummm—hadn’t thought of that. With a little jiggle of the plug, once again there was light!

Sometime later that day, I thought How many times do I forget to plug into the real Power?

This true-life illustration could be a fun one to reenact with a grandchild. Unplug a lamp and ask your grand to tell you why there’s no light--no power to the lamp. Like my friend from the Facilities Department, ask “Have you checked to see if it’s plugged in?”

Then explain to your grandchild that being connected (or "plugged in") to God gives him/her the power to make good choices and live a God-honoring life.

"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." (James 1:5)

He is able,
Mary
http://www.marymaywrites.com/
http://grandconnection.blogspot.com/