Propagating succulents

I bought a succulent in November and named her Gina. I am a serial plant killer and unfortunately this case was no different. Gina shriveled up and died... mostly. A toxic trait of mine is that I always want to rescue things, so when I saw a video on youtube explaining how, with a few leaves from a succulent, you could propagate new ones, I got to work. I ripped off the last few leaves that had a bit of life left in them and set them in a little pot. I diligently took care of them as Youtube had instructed me. After two whole days of caring for the half-shriveled leaves with no progress, although Youtube said it would take nearly a month, I was exasperated.

With Gina, it seemed that all hope was lost. During the propagation process, I was not too expectant. Day in and day out, I tried my hardest, but nothing seemed to happen. Recently I tripped over the pot, and since, clearly, it was the succulent's fault, I was on the verge of throwing the whole thing off the balcony. But when I went to clean up the spilled dirt, I discovered they had some tiny roots. Finally seeing those little sprouts made the month of watering and waiting so worth it. 

Our dreams, projects, and the work we do can often feel like propagating succulents. We don't know when our efforts are going to produce fruit, and that can be discouraging. Robert H. Schuller said, "Anyone can count the seeds in an apple, but only God can count the apples in a seed". It is a reminder that our small and seemingly insignificant actions can make a huge and enduring impact. We truly cannot know or understand the way our finite efforts can create ripple effects that last for generations to come. 

I don't think it is our job to comprehend the process but rather to trust the one leading us through it. Take heart! If the plans, finances, relationships, ministry, or physical goals aren't turning out as expected, keep going anyway. God sees the efforts. They matter and are making a difference.  Keep carefully tending to your lot becuase we are propagating so much more than just succulent leaves.