During the summer, Pat bought three small pots of chrysanthemums in varying colors.  She put all three in a single large pot and set the pot on the back steps.  We enjoyed the forced blooms that were already on the plants, then we enjoyed the greenery as it grew upward.  It was not a very spectacular planting, but we liked it because we have virtually no flowers at our place.  Anything was better than what we normally had.

    But our cat had a litter of kittens, and the kittens liked to play with the plants.  One day one of them broke a long branch which had grown fairly tall.  It wasn’t broken completely off the plant.  It was bent at the edge of the pot, and just hung down.  That was upsetting to me.  I didn’t like seeing the plant damaged.  But more than that, I didn’t like seeing the damaged part dangling over the edge.

    I have a strong sense of order (at least as I see order) so I wanted to simply cut the branch off and forget it.  But the plant was not mine.  It was Pat’s.  And she was never inclined to do anything about the damaged branch.  So I tried to simply ignore that lopsided plant, even though I saw it many times a day as I went in and out.

    It is fall now - chrysanthemum time - and all three of the plants in the pot are in full bloom.  And to my amazement and delight, the damaged branch is blooming also.  Over time, it grew strong and long, and the effect is beautiful, with most of the blooms on the stems that are upright, while the blooms on the broken branch cascade gracefully to the ground.

    When I saw how God had brought beauty from brokenness in the plant, I learned some important lessons, which I hope I will remember.  First, there is hope for me and for others even when we are hurt by bad decisions or unfortunate circumstances.  God can salvage the situation in our lives.  Second, I need to allow God to work.  I have on many occasions cut off the offending branch with a critical attitude before God had a chance to form the blooms.

    God is able to bring beauty from brokenness, no matter how bad the brokenness is.  We need to trust His power and allow it to work in us and in others.  When we do, we will see His marvelous grace cascading from heaven to earth through the brokenness of men.  And God will get glory.