“Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves – It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me.” (Alma 32:28)

This past summer, I was given a small, pink potted plant. I wasn’t sure exactly what species of flower it was, but my phone seemed to believe it was called a Kalanchoe plant. It was a beautiful sight to see, and I kept it right on my kitchen counter by the window so it would get plenty of sunlight. I watered it every couple of days like Google told me to do, and for a brief period of time the Kalanchoe flourished (keep in mind that I’m not a highly skilled botanist). However, as the weeks went by, the petals started to dry up and changed from bright pink to light pink, eventually withering into disappointing brown flakes. So I knew it was time to let the Kalanchoe go.

But I really didn’t want to let it go! I loved this quaint little potted plant with all of my heart. It was gifted to me with love, tended to with love, and now I was left with the task to banish it from my house?! 

I couldn’t make up my mind about what I wanted to do, and I ultimately just put the dried up flower pot outside on my front porch for the time being. This “time being” turned into days, then weeks, and after a month, I became so used to walking past the shriveled up plant that I didn’t pay much mind to it. 

One day, I was getting back home from the gym and I stepped out of my car, took a couple of steps towards my porch, and halted suddenly when something bright pink caught my eye. My little Kalanchoe had somehow bloomed again! I was so surprised! In my sadness from the demise of my beloved potted plant, I had stopped watering it (Alma 32:39). And we had been having such a hot, dry summer with limited rain that I never expected any rain drops to reach the precious petals. But God willing, some of the summer storm we had experienced a few days prior allowed my seemingly hopeless Kalanchoe to once again blossom. I guess my plant’s seed wasn’t lost at all; I had just forgotten to continue nourishing it so that it could grow (Alma 32:41).

Sometimes we are that little Kalanchoe plant. 

Sometimes we forget to nourish ourselves daily with God’s word or with prayer. 

Sometimes we miss a day or two of putting God first and we feel our righteousness begin to wilt. 

But thankfully, even when we think we are long gone and too far past saving, as long as we have faith… we have hope (Alma 32:21; Hebrews 11:1). Just like God gave my flowers a second chance, He gives you and I that same opportunity to redeem ourselves every single day (Lamentations 3:22-24). So let’s nourish our seeds with faith, patience, diligence, and hope, “Then, my brethren, ye shall reap the rewards of your faith, and your diligence, and patience, and long-suffering, waiting for the tree to bring forth fruit unto you.” (Alma 32:43)

This article has undergone ministry review and approval.