Enabling

(for Lindsey)

A few months ago, I transplanted a sunflower plant from the front yard to the back garden. Within a day it was droopy and looking very sad. I gave it plenty of water and it had good soil and sunlight, but soon some of the leaves had turned brown and it was so bent over, I thought it was a goner.

I got the idea to put a little stick in the ground, and tie some twine around the top of the stem and the stick in an effort to straighten the plant. I hoped that if the leaves on the top, which hadn’t yet died, would be able to get some sun straight on, that it would get the necessary chlorophyll and be able to eventually become strong again.

I marveled when this worked. Within a week, life was literally coming back into the brown, dry leaves. It was one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen in my garden.

When I’ve thought about the Atonement of Jesus Christ over the years, I think I had a basic grasp of the concept of the redemptive power it brings. I hoped that one day, if I did the very best I could do, He would “make up the difference”. What I am only now starting to understand is the beautiful enabling side of it. He gives us life, even now. All along the way He strengthens us and allows us to grow. The Atonement isn’t something that I hope will save me someday. It can save me today. And tomorrow. And every day.

You are that sunflower. Now there is time to turn inward and restore that relationship with yourself — the divine being that you are — and allow Christ to breathe life back into your leaves. Be gentle with the parts of you that feel bent and lifeless, and have hope for what is to come for you. God can cause a miracle in a sunflower, but more meaningfully, He is bringing about miracles in you. And you are worth it.