Repotted to Grow

Bible Reading: Psalm 27:1-3; Isaiah 41:10

Austin sighed as he dropped his backpack to the kitchen floor and sat down at the table. His family had moved recently, and he missed his old school and all the friends he’d left behind.

“Did you have a good day?” Mom asked. Austin shook his head. “I know it’s hard for you, Austin,” Mom said. “Adjusting takes time.”

“I guess,” said Austin. “But I don’t think I’ll ever like my new teacher as much as I liked Mr. Jackson. And the kids here play games I’ve never heard of!”

“Well, give your new school a chance,” said Mom. “You’ve only been there a couple of days. And remember, Jesus is just as close to you here as He was before. Trust Him—He can help you.” She opened the patio door. “Speaking of help, do you want help filling the planters with the flowers I bought today?”

“Okay,” said Austin. They got to work, and when the planting was finished, Austin stood and admired the bright petunias and geraniums.

When Austin came home from school the next day, the plants were drooping. “Mom, what’s wrong with the flowers we planted?”

“Their roots were shocked when we repotted them,” said Mom. “But they’ll be all right. They’ll adjust, and soon they’ll look better than ever.” She smiled at Austin. “How was your day?”

“Well…” Austin paused as he recalled things that had happened that day—his teacher saying, “Good job,” when she handed back his math paper, and two boys asking him to play basketball with them at recess.

“You know what?” said Austin. “I think I’m kind of like those flowers. Moving here gave me a bit of a shock, but I’m adjusting.”

“Good,” said Mom. She smiled. “Think about it this way—we give our flowers everything they need in their new pots because we want them to grow. And God loves you even more than we love our flowers! He gives His children everything we need too—Jesus has given us the Holy Spirit to help us and always be with us. He is with us during this transition. Keep talking to Jesus about it, and trust Him to help you grow.”

–Carolyn E. Yost