Chapter 14

            Ok, plants, even Jealous Plant, can’t actually talk.  They don’t have mouths, see.  But Jealous Plant is a good listener.  A really good listener.  So I started talking and hoped that Jealous Plant would chime in one way or another.
            I told him that I suspected that he had made the cacophony in the sacristy that scared the geckos.
            “I’m not mad, Jealous Plant,” I went on “I’m sure with everyone fussing over the lizards and snakes and chameleons, you’re feeling pretty left out.  And that’s no fun at all.  Especially because the only reason all of this is going on is because I came to the church wanting to talk to YOU.”
            That got Jealous Plant’s attention.  He immediately became less droopy, clearly waiting for what I was going to say next.  So I told him about my dare gone wrong and how I had nearly squished Helen the Tarantula (soon to be baby Jesus).  I explained that I had run to the church wanting to tell him all about it because he was such a good listener.
             “And then everything kind of got out of control, Jealous Plant.  But you need to know, that as weird as all of this is, I’m glad we’re co-assistant directors.”
              Immediately Jealous Plant’s leaves drooped as if the air had gone out of them.
             “What is it?” I asked. “You don’t want to be an assistant director?” 
           “SOMEONE GET THAT THING OUT OF THE BAPTIMSAL FONT!!!!!” A voice that could only belong to Mrs. Snapper rattled the windows of the sanctuary.  If she screamed any louder, I had a feeling the ashes would start resurrecting with or without Jesus to supervise.  
          “Look, Jealous Plant” I said “Like it or not, we are in this together.  Right now, those people in the church need some direction and we are going to go provide it.  Come on!”
             I grabbed Jealous Plant’s pot and headed back into the sanctuary at a run.
To Be Continued
 
1 Corinthians 12:4-6    
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone.
 
The Holy Spirit blesses us with gifts to be used in sharing the good news of Jesus and creating a community where Jesus is made known in word and deed.  What are some of Jealous Plant’s spiritual gifts?  What about the narrator? How have these gifts been put to use so far?  What are your gifts and how do you use them in sharing the life of Jesus?