I have a Christmas cactus on my desk. Technically, it’s a Thanksgiving cactus. You can tell by the shape of the leaves and, of course, that’s when it blooms. At least, it did this past Thanksgiving. The plant was flourishing and produced some beautiful flowers. I was so pleased with it I took a picture.

I am not good with plants. I have a reputation for killing them. Even cacti and succulents are in danger under my care. So it was with dismay that I noticed my beautiful cactus beginning to show some symptoms of neglect. The plant itself seemed to be changing its color. No longer green, it was a dark, ugly purplish color. But what really concerned me was how limp and droopy and wrinkly it looked. I was concerned for its life! Isn’t it pitiful?

The cactus depressed me. Sometimes I struggle with sadness and that plant wasn’t helping. But then I saw something that took me by surprise! I looked, and I looked again! I couldn’t believe it! There was a bud. One little bud.

That one little bud gave me hope. Remember the saying, “While there is life, there is hope.” My cactus still had life in it! Maybe it won’t die after all…

And that one little bud lifted my spirit. It spoke to me of hope and life for myself as well. It’s okay to be sad sometimes, but with a little bit of help from those around us and a lot of help from God, we can grow out of it and have a life of joy and contentment.

As my father grew old, he lost much of his physical abilities. He became confined to a wheelchair and struggled with his limitations. He used to say to me, “I have the 3-D’s. I’m discouraged, depressed, and defeated.” I would respond adamantly, “It’s okay to be discouraged and depressed. But you are never, never defeated!” But I understand his struggle.

We all struggle with similar battles. That feeling of uselessness and hopelessness pulls at us and tempts us to despair and to give up. But God desires us to dwell in faith, to have hope in that one little bud.

I am thinking and hoping that the one little bud on my cactus will be in full bloom for Easter. A small, sweet demonstration of new life.

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