Mountain Tops and Unicorns

Since my avocado tree has decided it wants to race toward the light, it has been growing at least an inch a day, until now it stands about 10 inches tall and has 5 leaves that are about 2 inches long each. Pretty phenomenal rate of growth, considering how long the pit lounged in water with little to no change.

Every day I get a little charge out of seeing what new thing has happened to the plant. I waited a long time, and now I'm basking in the excitement of progress.

It makes me think of times in our lives when everything is going great. We got that job we wanted or that raise, or we gained some material object that is really going to help us. Or maybe ourselves or family members are in the midst of one of those key moments in life -- engagement, marriage, babies, successful potty training, got up in the morning, whatever -- and we can't help but smile and think that life is grand.

Well, I'm not trying to burst bubbles here necessarily, but I can't help but think that although you could be riding the top of a wave now (let's see how many metaphors I can use in this one entry), there is often a downside. Every wave crashes into the shore and dissipates. We are not guaranteed that the entirety of our lives will be wonderful. I think of 1 Corinthians 10:12 that says, "So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!" More realistically, those big highs, or "mountaintop experiences" are few and far between. It's kind of like spotting a unicorn, if such things were to exist (beware the metaphor train!).

I am planning in my head how to take my tree from its cozy little drinking mug and transplanting it into a bed of potting soil in a bigger container. I'm fully aware that although it is doing great right now, something like a transplant could cause it to suddenly wither.

So I guess I'm saying to embrace the good things when they come, but be realistic and understand they may not last forever. In fact, it is entirely likely you won't see another unicorn for a long time. However, one thing IS sure in this life. God will never leave us, nor forsake us. He's always there. You can count on it.