SURVIVORS

All the impossibility is with us when we

measure God by the limitations of our

unbelief.  (Smith Wigglesworth)

When things are looking hopeless, and there seems to be no way out, I have only to look at the plants on my balcony to remind me to never say never.

Spotted lanternflies have been swarming all over my windows and balcony, and seemed to be doing a good job of destroying the plants out there as well.  I tried spraying with white vinegar, and with soapy water, but to no avail.

From my vantage point, things were looking pretty hopeless for them as well. 

The only plant that did not seem to be affected was the spider plant. Even though there were lanternflies on it as well, it managed to thrive.

They pretty much destroyed most of the leaves on the tomato plant and all but one of the wildflower plants. But then, when I least expected it, some buds appeared on it that turned into pretty yellow flowers.

And then some droopy looking buds appeared on one of the other wildflower plants that was looking pretty defunct. I didn't expect them to open, but they did, and opened up into two lovely pink flowers.

The most miraculous survivor of all has been the tomato plant.

It started out doing really well, but even before the lanternflies arrived, it was knocked over by strong winds during a storm--despite being anchored to the balcony rail by a bungee cord.  And then the lanternflies swarmed and that seemed to seal its fate.

By some miracle, however, the dozen or so little green tomatoes that had appeared near the top of the plant before most of the rest of it had been destroyed, survived. They did not show signs of ripening, but they did not shrivel up and die either.

Today we had another windy storm, and even though the plant did not get blown over this time, the main stalk did get bent over. 

When I went out to try and secure it back up, imagine my great surprise. One of those little green tomatoes I had given up on was starting to ripen.

The words that came to me were "Fear less--trust more."