My family has this undying spider plant. Great-Aunt Edith received it from a friend in 1970-something, where it lived for years in her home in Yonkers. As the plant grew, and continued to grow, everyone in the family received its children. Aunt Edith passed away, but her son became keeper of the spider, thrusting its offspring onto anyone who didn’t have a plant whether they wanted it or not. At one point, my parents had at least three in their house.
My little plant came with me when I moved out, and eventually produced its own children. I’d decided that, when my friends moved to a new home, they would receive one of those child plants. My sponsor was the lucky recipient of the first, and there are more ready for when others settle into their new abodes. Recently, he sent me a picture of new growth on his plant, yet another generation of spider babies. “They grow up so fast,” he said.
It seemed so fitting—that the growth from my godmother’s plant eventually found its way into my sponsor’s home. These people, generations apart, who would have never met. But we’re all connected. Not just from this plant, either.
Isn’t it the same way with God? We don’t know the influence we’ll have on people. Great-Aunt Edith probably didn’t know her plant would extend across New York and New Jersey. And she probably didn’t know that her spiritual guidance would stretch farther than Yonkers, too. She wouldn’t have known that her goddaughter would ultimately be a part of the Church. And we don’t know who we influence, every single day, and who will be affected to the point of reaching out to others.
I was listening to Relevant Radio one evening, and they spoke of the mess we’ve made of the world. There are some awful things going on out there. Individually, we can’t change it. But individually, we can work to make it a little better. Smile at the cashier. Forgive that guy who cut you off on the highway. Understand that every one of us has something going on, and sometimes we have bad days. Love one another, and forgive. That goodness will spread. It won’t stop wars, but it’ll make someone’s day a little brighter. That’s no small thing.
In turn, that person you were nice to may be inspired to be nice to someone else. And so on. We share that goodness, and it expands. It could extend three generations down to someone, or many someones, who can make bigger waves. Like the family spider—one plant alone has expanded into countless other people’s homes, including my little spiritual family. We’re connected by that plant, just as we’re connected by that love that God has blessed us with.
And if anyone wants a spider plant, I’m honestly keeping a list. This child of mine is out of control.
