By: Crystal Harkless

I figured out a long time ago that I do not have a green thumb after spending hours in a flower bed just to see my hard work go down the drain weeks later. I'm not sure why they died so quickly! I had the right soil, watered them often (okay, maybe too often), and I made sure I planted them where they would get just enough sunlight. I cringe at the thought of the amount of money I wasted in that little project. So, you can imagine how I felt when my mother started pushing me to plant some more flowers. To say I wasn't exactly thrilled about the idea would be an understatement.
My mother finally talked me into taking care of a smaller house plant. She jokingly said that if I didn't kill the plant, I would be ready for a relationship. Well, I love a challenge so I'm now the proud owner of a Christmas cactus. I was determined to make sure this plant didn't die. I planted it in a bigger flower pot, watered it everyday, and gave it just enough sunlight.
As I watch my little plant grow and bloom, I can't help thinking about how similar the plant growing process is to the relationship process. How many times have we invested our time and money into a relationship just to watch it die right before your eyes? You did all the right things. You worked on the communication, spent plenty of time together, prayed together and it still didn't work out. If you haven't experienced this before, let me tell you, it doesn't make you want to run out and jump into another relationship.
Like I was with the plant, many of you are hesitant to enter into another relationship. You simply do not want to feel that pain again. I totally understand, but you are cheating yourself out of having the opportunity to sow and receive love from one of God's beautiful creations. Maybe this time you can go slow and take smaller steps.
Whatever you do, don't pass up the chance to embrace a love that could possibly bloom into something so beautiful that it will make you forget the pain of your past.
My mother finally talked me into taking care of a smaller house plant. She jokingly said that if I didn't kill the plant, I would be ready for a relationship. Well, I love a challenge so I'm now the proud owner of a Christmas cactus. I was determined to make sure this plant didn't die. I planted it in a bigger flower pot, watered it everyday, and gave it just enough sunlight.
As I watch my little plant grow and bloom, I can't help thinking about how similar the plant growing process is to the relationship process. How many times have we invested our time and money into a relationship just to watch it die right before your eyes? You did all the right things. You worked on the communication, spent plenty of time together, prayed together and it still didn't work out. If you haven't experienced this before, let me tell you, it doesn't make you want to run out and jump into another relationship.
Like I was with the plant, many of you are hesitant to enter into another relationship. You simply do not want to feel that pain again. I totally understand, but you are cheating yourself out of having the opportunity to sow and receive love from one of God's beautiful creations. Maybe this time you can go slow and take smaller steps.
Whatever you do, don't pass up the chance to embrace a love that could possibly bloom into something so beautiful that it will make you forget the pain of your past.