I Will Not Just Survive….I Will Thrive in This Heat!

I moved into my home a year ago in April, and I continue to be surprised by the plants around my home that the previous owners left me: the gardenia bushes, the redbud tree, and my canna lily plants. A wise-and-more-in-tune-with-gardening person would have spotted these lovely plants when they first walked onto the grounds of this place, but this gal – who was missing a green thumb from the start, never gave them a second look – not until they were blooming.

Initially, the canna lilies looked kaput, but when I looked out at my backyard yesterday, I was surprised to see them in full bloom, hence, my inspiration for today’s post. Here's what I found out about canna lilies: “Canna lilies are beautiful, easy-to-grow plants that effortlessly bring a splash of the tropics to your garden. They’re especially welcome to gardeners with very hot summers. Where other flowers shrivel and wilt, canna lilies thrive in the heat.” Well, hello canna lilies, you are in the right place at the right time in this Texas heat. Other plants have died (check out my poor holly that is dead as a doornail because of the heat AND the fact that our water here in Frisco is rationed.) The heat causes those canna lilies to thrive.

Here it comes. Another of my life analogies. I’ve heard some cranky folks lately complaining about this Texas heat. I remind them “Hang in there. In a couple of months, the cooler temperatures will arrive and you’ll thrive again!” I laughed when I saw my Canadian cousin’s FB post a couple of days ago. “It was a chilly night, but we still enjoyed eating outside and the kiddos thought the pool was nice and warm.” I commented: “Lord, forgive me for longing for that cool weather! She replied: “Lord, forgive me for longing for that Texas heat!"

We can all relate to experiencing heat – both in the climate and in times of pressure when our "top is about to blow", during a heated-up conversation or debate with someone or we’re in hot water because of something we said or did. Are we like the canna lily and thrive with the heat or are we like my poor holly bush? What keeps us calm in the times of the storms that come as heat waves? What keeps us cool when the heat is on?
Eleanor Roosevelt gave this quote about a woman, but I think it’s applicable to men as well. “A woman is like a tea bag – you can’t tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water.”

And, that is so true. I’ve seen women and men who rise and shine, who accelerate, who go to a whole new level in their faith and confidence and trust in God when they are under some of the direst circumstances. My husband had a quote on his desk that faced him every day “In the middle of adversity lies opportunity!” That’s how we can make it during the heat. We take it on with all-out fervor and say “Bring on the heat! I was made for this. God power-packed me to win and I will! I will come out of this heat and not even smell like smoke!”

In Daniel 3:23-27 we hear about three Hebrews, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego who Nebuchadnezzar threw into the fiery furnace because they wouldn’t bow down to his idol. Their trust was in the one true God. And, in the midst of the hottest heat ever, the Son of God showed up right there in the heat with them. And, that’s the key for us when we’re under pressure and the situation and adversity have over-heated us. Trusting in God in the midst of the heat. Daniel 3:27 concludes that story of the three Hebrews with these words: “Then the officials, governors, and advisers crowded around them and saw that the fire had not touched them. Not a hair on their heads was singed, and their clothing was not scorched. They didn't even smell of smoke!!” And that will be our story, too! As we wholly trust in God Who causes us to triumph and come out of our “furnace situations”, we will survive and thrive like my canna lilies IN THE HEAT!