What's Your African Violet?

Yesterday, one of the Deacons provided the sermon.  The meaning definitely resonated with me.  Maybe because it had to do with one of my favorite hobbies, plants?  Anyway, I hope you enjoy the story and the meaning too!

A doctor went to visit a patient at her home.  He was told that she was suffering from depression, and that she would benefit from a visit.  This woman happened to be a member of the same church that the doctor also attended.

When he arrived at her house, he discovered a woman who was quite down and out.  He also saw three African Violets growing on the windowsill, next to an empty pot.  He presumed that the empty pot was waiting, ready for the next African Violet.

After talking with the woman, the doctor told the woman that she was not suffering from depression, but instead suffering from a lack of Christian purpose.  The doctor stated that she had a gift - propagating African Violets, yet she did not share this gift with others.  The doctor than asked the woman, if he were to give her a prescription, would she fill it?  The woman replied, yes, she would.

So, the doctor prescribed this.  He asked the woman to propagate more African Violets.  When she had more, she should find a new mother in the parish, and take one to her and her new baby.  She should take an African Violet to a woman who recently lost her husband.  She should take an African Violet to someone who recently had surgery.

Over the course of the next 11 years, the woman did just that - and more.  One day an article on the front page of the paper, caught the eye of many.  "African Violet Queen Dies - Mourned by Thousands."  So, the question posed to us is, "What is my African Violet?"  "What is your African Violet, that you can do/give to others.  So, as Lent is about to begin - what will your African Violet be?