In Debbie’s new home, she discovered an abandoned plant—a moth orchard. She imagined how pretty it would look with new, bloom-bearing stems. She moved the pot into a spot by the window, cut off the dead leaves, and watered and fed it. Week after week she inspected the plant, but no new shoots appeared. “I’ll give it another month,” she told her husband, “and if nothing has happened by then, out it goes.”

When decision day came, she could hardly believe her eyes. Two small stems were poking out from among the leaves! The plant was still alive.

Do you ever get discouraged by your apparent lack of spiritual growth? Perhaps you frequently lose your temper or enjoy a spicy piece of gossip. Or perhaps you neglect praying and reading your Bible for a while.

Why not tell a trusted friend about the areas of your life in which you want to grow spiritually, and ask that person to pray for and encourage you to be accountable? Be patient. You will grow as you allow the Holy Spirit to work in you.