Micah 5:7 And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many people as a dew from the Lord, as the showers upon the grass, that tarrieth not for man, nor waiteth for the sons of men. (KJV) I found my three-foot high planter tipped over on my porch, dirt scattered about and pieces of the lush, green spider plant and its multiple babies rendered lifeless. I swept up the mess, tossing the remaining dirt clump into an empty container, and mourned the loss of the precious plant. The plant was a gift to me almost twenty-five years previously by my good friend and unofficially adopted sister, Charlotte, when she moved from Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania to Ohio. It had thrived under her loving care for several years and I kept it going so well that through the years many people benefited from its starts. It lived inside over the winter, outside in the summer. Charlotte died suddenly several years ago during a morning run. The plant was symbolic of our friendship---lush and full of life---and her generosity. Later, after Charlotte’s daughter Kathleen married and the couple was looking for a home, I promised Kathleen starts to remember her mother by. But the plant was ruined and I knew I couldn’t follow through on my promise. Several weeks later, while watering my other plants, I noticed a green spike emerging from the dirt clump. The “dead” plant had “risen from the ashes.” Its new life continued to flourish until the plant was full with glory again, with numerous babies to be adopted out to family, friends and acquaintances. Some of these babies were placed with Kathleen in honor of her mother. Today, years later, that spike continues growing. Whenever I see it I think of the remnant of Jacob, whose descendants are many. “Yet I shall leave a remnant,” the Lord said. And so he did. Has the Lord ever surprised you by leaving you a remnant following a loss? Prayer: Lord, let me see your remnant while I am in the midst of crisis and loss. Amen. ---written by Carolyn | 
