As we put out spring flowers this year, we had a few more flowers than we did containers, so we went on a hunt for something to temporarily stick the last remaining petunias in until we could get another pot. We found an old dirty teapot in the garage that would suffice. As they took root and the blooms began to come out, it became more than a temporary pot, but it took on a life of its own and is the focal point of our deck table. Of course, it has been a good summer for our deck flowers and the “petunias in a teapot” have been my favorite whimsical touch that every deck needs.

We have walked past that old dirty teapot for months and years and never particularly noticed it until the day we needed a place to stick a flower temporarily. Taking it in the house, it got washed and cleaned out and we discovered a bunch of painted flowers on the outside and looked perfect for a petunia home. It has become a beautiful container for something that brings us much pleasure and joy and blesses our outlook on life each day. I wish you could see it.

In many ways we are like that dirty old teapot. We have neglected ourselves physically and spiritually until we are no longer attractive or useful to anyone or anything. We are ignored and forgotten about because we withdraw and stay on the “back of a shelf” with the other forgotten pots and miscellaneous forgotten things.

And then, one day we are found and even though we appeared dirty and neglected, someone sees a use for us. We are cleaned and polished and when our lives are filled with beautiful things, we are renewed. And are a blessing to others.
God does this for us. He sees us in our lives without Him and sees a purpose for our lives. He plucks us from our dingy lives, cleans our hearts and spirit, and plants Himself within us. Now, unlike the petunias who have no choice where they ended up, we must respond to God’s calling to us to let Him transform us. Often, we resist, but when we listen and respond to Him, our lives become transformed into something of beauty and usefulness to God and to others.

We can be “Petunias in a teapot” if we allow God to use us and grow us to become a thing of blessing to others. We just need to allow Him to plant us, grow us, and then use us.

And for today my friends, this has been the gospel according to Jimmy.

Jimmy Cochran is a resident of McDonough, a musician, a minister and the author of Being God’s and Staying God’s, both available at Amazon.com. Being God’s is also available at Moye’s Pharmacy in McDonough.