I've had this outdoor plant on my front patio for about ten years. Just for fun let's call him Fred.

Fred was once a vibrant and healthy bush about three feet tall and wide, and was very green and healthy. Over the past year though, Fred went through some difficult times.

In south Louisiana where I live, the weather changes frequently, often within the same day, and we have had more than our fair share of floods, severe storms, tornados, hurricanes, and other natural disasters. At least the dreaded "Murder Hornets" never showed up, although I suspect our mosquitos might have won that battle. ;-)

Fred's caretaker (me) got a little pre-occupied over the past year dealing with his own challenges and did not provide him with the TLC he formally got. As a result, he withered, and as of a few hours ago, would have appeared to most to be dead. All that remained was mostly brown, dried, brittle stems.

Some might have discarded him; however, I remembered Fred from better times, saw his potential, and got to work helping to get him back in shape.

So, I took him out of the old pot, found some healthy roots, trimmed away all of the unhealthy parts, and replanted him in fresh, fertile soil and gave him a good watering. I expect within a few weeks Fred will be well on his way to his former glory with much new growth and beauty restored.

I'm alot like Fred. Perhaps some of you are too. Many of us have been through some difficult times in the past year. A lot of change, loss, sickness, and even death. Perhaps we may be looking and feeling like poor Fred probably did.

However, as there is now hope for him, there is also hope for you and me.

I find hope in the man called Jesus. No matter what circumstance we may face or how hard things may look in the natural, if we put our trust in him, he is faithful and just and will take really good care of us. He created us with a specific purpose for service within his kingdom and equipped us with everything we will ever need to accomplish it. He always sees our potential even when we, or others no longer do.

Sometimes, because of how stubborn we can be, he has to let us get a little beat up before we will listen to him. Then he may have to trim some unhealthy parts out of our life. That can be a little scary and painful, but it is necessary. However, it always results in restoration followed by healing and new life.

He has restored me several times from what I used to believe were impossible, hopeless situations-so I share this from personal experience with both humility and confidence.

You can trust him.

And he's a really great guy to talk to.

I am reminded of a song we sing often at our church called "More Than Just a Man".

He was more than just a man
He gave his life for salvation's plan
He was the truth, the light and the way
And His life he laid down one day
That's when He proved, that's when He proved
That He was more than just a man

I'll share a picture of Fred in a few weeks. Have a great weekend!