For the last two spring seasons, the children and I have been planting sunflowers. First starting in the grow box as seedlings, we then transferred and planted them in a particularly sunny patch of our garden.
One poor sunflower has seen more snail attacks this season than any of the others planted. This one straggly looking plant spent most of the spring and summer seasons looking half dead. I’ve had many thoughts to simply remove the sad sunflower, as it often looked beyond the point of recovery. And each time this weak plant attempted to grow new leaves, I would find them munched off by persistent and greedy snails.
Despite all of this, I decided to just let my plant go through the summer and see what would happen. I am so pleased to say that our little sunflower, the smallest of them all, is making a recovery! This one plant is incredibly resilient and against the odds, survival and actual blooming appear to be happening.
Sometimes, I can feel like my plant, being attacked by the Enemy’s schemes day after day. Just when I think I am growing in a certain area, such as being more gentle in my tone of voice when speaking to the children, I will slip up and a raised shouting voice blurts out instead. Then, like the snails coming night after night to chomp on the sunflower’s leaves, the Devil whispers lies that I am not a suitable mother, that I keep failing them, and I should just give up now.
As mamas, no matter how many times we are attacked by the “snails of life,” let us determine to keep on growing. We may not always get it right and our growing leaves might feel like they are being stripped away repeatedly, yet we have a choice with what we will do when life throws us challenges. Will we shrivel up and wither away? Will we stunt our own personal growth by believing the Devil’s lies about ourselves? Or will we, despite the difficulties, choose to persevere and learn resilience? Will we sit down with our Bibles and fill our heads with God’s truth?
Let’s be like my sunflower and keep growing our leaves of green, allowing God to help us push through no matter how many setbacks come our way.
Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Saviour. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.
Habakkuk 3:17-19
Joy A. Mead 
WhT a beautiful analogy to persevere, to be aware of the devil’s schemes and stand firm in the Lord and grow. Yes it is a choice and it is intentional.
Very encouraged by this Joy. Have a wonderful weekend 🤗💐
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Thank you Manu! I think that is such a game changer when, in the midst of feeling defeat, we remember that we do have a choice of how we respond. Praise God He is stronger than any difficulty we face and His Spirit lives within us. Blessings on you my friend! 🙏
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Joy~
I pray that your weekend is blessed and fulfilling in the love of Christ. That your family is happy and secure. That your private time with the Father is uninterrupted and deeply enriching. I pray that you are watered and nourished in the living water that leads to eternal life I pray that you and your husband are a strong frontline for your children and their faith.
Thank you for your ministry into my life through this blog.
Kate
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Hi Kate, Thank you for your beautiful prayer and encouragement! Likewise, I have found your posts to be so thought provoking and nourishing! I love your quotes too! May God continue to be glorified as we both write for His glory. 🙏❤️
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Thank you for this post Joy! It’s quite relatable at the moment and I appreciate the reminder to keep growing and allowing God to help us as we serve Him and our families. It’s so important to nourish ourselves with His word and to combat those lies of unworthiness and failure. God is with us and for us! Thank you, wishing you a wonderful week ahead.
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I’m so glad that this post touched your heart Charlene! Lots of love and prayers, especially in this season. 🙏❤️
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Great encouragement, Joy! May we grow in Him and His likeness.❤️
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Thanks Alicia! Amen sister! 😘
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Just now in my time with the Lord, I heard to look up the resilience of sunflowers. I found this blog post. Speaks DIRECTLY to my heart and my life now and I am so glad for the verse you shared. It is a treasure and I will memorize that I might declare it to fight back the enemy with. Thanks for this post!!! My you be blessed exponentially for sharing it.
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Hi Aja, Thank you for your comments! What an amazing image and message that you received in your time with God! I’m so glad that my post has encouraged you. Blessings to you and your family! ❤️
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