This past weekend, we visited my brother and sister in law. (Don’t worry. We sat 6 feet apart on their porch). As soon as we arrived, I noticed Penny standing by their front door. She was totally naked and looked pitiful.
“Oh no! What happened to Penny?” I asked.
My sister in law, exhausted and defeated responded, “I’m doing everything I can to help her. But she is just SO finicky.”
“Poor Penny,” I said. “She was so gorgeous when you first got her. I know this is really hard for you.”
Shaking her head she sighed,, “I never knew a fiddle leaf fig could be THIS high maintenance. But I’m not giving up! ”
Penny, the fiddle leaf fig, has become like another child in the Gohde household. And she’s given them a run for their money.
You’ve seen these gorgeous plants, haven’t you? They have giant, shiny, green leaves and beautiful trunks. They are seriously stunning. It’s no wonder they’ve become so popular with interior designers. But they come with a warning - “NOT for the faint of heart.”
Why??
For starters, they aren’t native to the United States. They grow, and thrive, in their natural environment – the lowland tropical rainforest of Western Africa where the air is humid, the light is bright, and the moisture is just right. SO, if expected to survive inside an air-conditioned home in Atlanta, Georgia, the fiddle leaf fig requires meticulous attention from a devoted and well-educated owner who knows its needs:
- Sunlight - not too bright, not too dim
- Moisture – not too dry, not too wet
- A PRECISE temperature of 65-75 degrees
- NO drafts.
- An occasional breeze (a light shake of the trunk will do)
- A nightly reading from Homer’s “Odyssey” (Ok. So that one is an exaggeration)
Now, if you google “fiddle leaf fig,” you’ll stumble across COUNTLESS blogs, articles and support groups for people trying to keep these things alive.
Why all the fuss?? Because a caretaker knows what a fiddle leaf fig can become and is committed to its growth.
I think we have a lot in common with this plant, don’t you? We need a healthy environment, proper nourishment and consistent attention in order to grow. We also need a little shake-up every once in a while to avoid growing idle. But most importantly, we, like the fiddle leaf fig, need someone who is committed to our growth and wants us to thrive.
Let me ask you this - are YOU committed to your own growth?
Are YOU paying attention to what you need to thrive (or what’s missing?) Now, since you’re a human being, and not a plant, I’m not talking about checking soil moisture, light, or humidity levels. I’m suggesting that you regularly check in on 5 key elements of your well being – physical, emotional, mental, social and spiritual. If you neglect any of these for an extended period of time, you’re likely to end up “naked on the porch.” (Sorry, Penny)
Now, some of you might be thinking, “Ok, Katie. I get it. I need to take responsibility for myself. But I’m not sure I’ll always have what it takes. What about the times where I’m at the end of my rope and I’ve got nothing left?”
Good question.
Here’s the thing – in this metaphor – YOU are not the caretaker of the fiddle leaf fig. GOD IS.
God is HIGHLY committed to you growing and thriving. HE KNOWS YOU. Inside and out. And He knows that a BIG part of your struggle is that you’re living in an imperfect world under imperfect conditions (even though you were MADE for the “African rainforest”).
So - you won’t always have it all together. You will go through times of stress and fear or pain and illness. And, just like my sister in law won’t always know EXACTLY how to help Penny, it makes sense that you won’t always know EXACTLY what you need to thrive.
Contrary to popular opinion, “God helps those who help themselves” is NOT a verse in the Bible. God knows that we cannot do everything in our own strength. And in fact, when we’re struggling, He would rather have us be honest with Him about it…and trust that He is AlWAYS committed to our good.
So, I thought I’d remind us “fiddle leaf figs” of 2 verses that ARE in the Bible…
“Come to me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” ~ Matthew 12:28
“My grace is sufficient for you for my strength is made perfect in your weakness.” 2 Cor 12:9
God is our master gardener - isn’t it time we let him tend to our needs? All you need to do is ask.