The Zucchini and The Rose
The following
day when I got home, I saw the same flower I noticed the day before, but it was
no longer a bud. It had opened up into a stunningly beautiful young rose. I
stopped, smelled, pictured, oohed and aahed again, all the while thinking, “wow,
what a difference a day makes”!
Curious to
see the progress of my infant zucchini, I ventured down to my garden. Shock and
disbelief consumed me as I stared down at a full grown zucchini where the infant
one had been. I stood there longer than one likely would, just staring down at
the ground, fully engulfed with wonder. Finally, though still not sure what to
think, I picked the zucchini from the vine and went inside to make dinner.
As I chopped the
practically perfect vegetable, I thought about how small it was the day before.
In fact, I actually struggled to convince myself that it was the same zucchini.
It was in the same spot and attached to the same vine, so it had to be the same
one, but it just didn’t seem possible. When I slid the pieces into the sauté pan,
I couldn’t help but think again, ‘wow, what a difference a day makes’!
Then it occurred
to me that we are all like roses and zucchini because each of our days makes a
difference. It might not often seem like it, but each day has us aging and
growing. Sure, we might not see as much difference in one day as the rose and
the zucchini, but each day does make a difference in our lives. The thing of it
is, it’s up to us to decide if the day will make a good difference or a bad
difference.
Did we pray
for someone today? Did we hold a door for someone or say a kind word? Did we
make someone smile or laugh or feel good about themselves? Did we cook dinner
for someone or serve at a food pantry? Did we donate to a worthy cause or show
up to lend a helping hand to someone in need?
Or, did we
spend the day wishing for things we don’t have? Did we think negative thoughts
and bring others down? Did we put others down by offering harsh criticism and
unkind words? Did we lie or cheat someone?
Good or bad,
each one of those things on its own makes a difference in each day and
therefore each day makes a difference. And, as the days add up, so do the
differences. They become noticeable in either a good or bad way.
So, if we’re
feeling like a day didn’t matter or if we’re wondering what the point is, let’s
remember the Rose and the Zucchini. Let’s remember that a lot can open up,
change and grow in a single day. Let’s focus on the fact that each day is a
blessing, with many opportunities to help others and make a difference for
them. Let’s notice the small things in each day that make it better and let’s
strive to be grateful to God for giving them to us. When we remember, focus and
notice like that, we will always be able to smile and say, ‘wow, what a
difference a day makes!”
“He has shown
you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you but to do
justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?”
Micah 6:8
“Wow, what a difference a day makes!”
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