Sensitive Plant

Foliage from the mimosa tree in our back yardThe flowers and leaves of our mimosa tree are really intriguing. On Sunday, Husband brought some indoors and made a little bouquet. As evening approached, the leaves folded up and looked as though they'd withered, despite our putting the stems in water. But in the Monday morning sunshine they were all unfurled again, happy and healthy.

That reminded me of the sensitive plant that I used to play with as a kid living on our island off the coast of Malaysia. The sensitive plants grew in the grass, looking very much like our mimosa tree except on a tiny scale. According to Wikipedia, there are many names for this plant: Humble plant, TickleMe plant, Shame plant, Sleeping grass, Prayer plant, Touch-me-not, and Shyness grass are some of them.

When we saw a sensitive plant we'd squat down and stroke the leaves, watching them recoil, contract and nearly fold up in response to our touch. It seemed to me like the plant was more like an animal, shrinking back when it sensed threat.

Similarly, there are people who "fold up" when they sense threat or pain coming their way. Withdrawing from the a world that can't be trusted or that wears you down is a protective strategy. I think Jesus did this when he went off by himself to pray. Sometimes you need to fold up for a while, until the threat passes or until you've regained your inner strength.

It's just important to remember that when morning comes, or when some time has passed, it's time to open up and greet the world again. This picture from Wikipedia.