NEVER GIVE UP.

‘Oh, no!’ I gasped as I walked into the laundry after our 18 day visit to Singapore and Melaka for the OCF 40^th Convention celebration.

There in the laundry tub stood my precious indoor fern – dead.

Before leaving home I placed fern pots in water sufficient for out time away – three in the kitchen sink – one in the laundry. And now I was about to dispose of the contents of one pot. But something seemed to encourage me to stand it beside the remaining three pots on the kitchen shelf.

As I realised that the laundry tub caught the burning rays of the sun through the tall glass door, as in a hot-house, I knew why the fern shrivelled in the heat.

So, with little confidence, I kept watering it as well as the remaining three. Was it worthwhile?

However, five months later one morning as I washed the dishes, to my surprise I noticed the tiniest green shoot. I almost whooped with delight. It’s alive. So I continued caring for that little plant, as more shoots appeared. And now, twelve months later, from this flourishing fern I pick fronds to enhance a vase of roses.

Is there someone who has been scorched by the troubles and sin of life? Have they seemed ‘dead’ to your entreaties and love. Please, do not give up. Water that person’s life with tenderness and regular prayer; love them with the right temperature of the sunshine of God’s devotion. Persevere.

God is already at work, answering your prayers. As well, His timing is perfect.

One day you will see the green shoot of faith in that person’s life. No-one is hopeless. God gives the increase, and He is right there in the grace-line waiting for that loved one to respond to the Saviour’s love and mercy.

My fern needed regular watering. Paul wrote, ‘PRAY WITHOUT CEASING.’

I wonder who persevered and prayed for Paul’s conversion.