Years ago, when I bought a struggling plant on the sale table at a local garden store, I didn’t know what I was getting. I was attracted to the purply-maroon, triangular-shaped, butterfly-looking leaves, but didn’t know the name of the plant. I later learned its botanical name, oxalis traiangularis, commonly called ruby shamrock, purple shamrock, or false shamrock.
Initially, I placed the plant in a pot with other plants on the deck, but it didn’t grow much. Eventually, I uprooted it, repotted it, and brought it inside. It lived in the kitchen for a while, but when I moved it to a table in the sunroom, it thrived.
Following are life lessons from the ruby shamrock:
Nourishment
Like all plants, food and water are essential for sustenance and growth. The ruby shamrock lets you know when it is thirsty through droopy stems and closed leaves. Within minutes after watering, the plant revives. It also thrives with a dose of plant food.
Many times, we don’t pay attention to our own need for proper nutrition. Most of us don’t drink nearly the amount of water we should, rendering ourselves dehydrated without even realizing it.
Providing the right balance of essential foods for healthy bodies also holds a low priority for many. Swinging through the drive-thru may be easier, but not the kind of nourishment we need.
Rest
When I moved the plant to the sunroom, Jim could see it from his recliner in the den. He often commented on it, especially when the afternoon sun set it ablaze, highlighting its color and the shape of its leaves.
After sunset, the ruby shamrock closes for the night, folding in on itself. One night, Jim said, “The shamrock is as tired as I am, it’s already gone to bed.”
Often, we don’t prioritize rest as we should. We push ourselves beyond the signals our body sends for rest and stay up longer than we should.
Years ago, I learned when I feel a slight chill, it’s time for lights out. If I push beyond that signal, I miss precious hours of deep sleep that provide the refreshment I need for the next day.
In prioritizing rest, you aid your body’s recovery, enhance longevity, and sustain forward motion.
Light
My ruby shamrock’s location in the sunroom provides all-day, indirect light, that fosters growth.
One of the hardest parts of winter is dim days and early nights. The downness of lingering grief lurks in darkness. With the return of spring comes increased light, which shifts the mindset in a more positive and productive direction.
Light reminds me that Jesus Christ is the light of the world, the light of our lives. His love and faithfulness scatter the clouds of worry, anxiety, and grief, and renew the heart and mind. Without Christ, we wander in darkness.
Light reminds me that Jesus Christ is the light of the world, the light of our lives.
Space
The ruby shamrock’s location as the only plant in the center of the sunroom dining table affords it plenty of space to spread and grow.
Sometimes, we forget to allow ourselves space to grow. We cram our lives with activities and obligations that stifle and leave us exhausted. Spiritual growth, health maintenance, and mental enrichment fall by the wayside as we opt for mind-numbing screen time.
With the onset of spring, decide to grow in some area of your life. As you watch the world around you bud, flower, and green, challenge yourself to learn something new, travel to a place you’ve always wanted to go, or do something you’ve never had the courage to do.
Attention
The ruby shamrock is not a high maintenance plant, but it does require some attention. It adopts a posture of need by drooping and closing, when attention is required
Is there something in your life that needs your attention? That “something” may be a broken relationship, an unconfessed sin, undealt with anger or bitterness, or a harbored grudge. Or maybe you’re ignoring your health and need to take an honest look at what you need to do to change your level of physical or mental personal maintenance.
Spring is a good time to turn your attention to self-care—spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically. Let life lessons from the ruby shamrock encourage you to do so.
“The earth sprouted and abundantly produced vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their kind and trees bearing fruit with seed in them, according to their kind; and God saw that it was good and He affirmed and sustained it” (Genesis 1:12 AMP).
©CandyArrington
Candy Arrington is an award-winning writer, blogger, and speaker. She often writes on tough topics with a focus on moving through, and beyond, difficult life circumstances. Candy has written hundreds of articles, stories, and devotions published by numerous outlets including: Inspiration.org, Arisedaily.com, CBN.com, Healthgrades.com, Care.com, Focus on the Family, NextAvenue.org, CountryLiving.com, and Writer’s Digest. Candy’s books include Life on Pause: Learning to Wait Well (Bold Vision Books), When Your Aging Parent Needs Care (Harvest House), and AFTERSHOCK: Help, Hope, and Healing in the Wake of Suicide (B&H Publishing Group).
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