The Plant in the Corner

There used to be a potted plant in our house, placed in the corner of the hallway between the living room and the master bedroom. It was a tall plant with broad, vibrant leaves that reached up to my waist. But one day, the tips of its leaves began to droop, and soon the stem started to weaken. My mother, who cares for all the plants in our home, made sure it received plenty of sunlight, the right amount of water, and even a dose of fertilizer now and then. Yet the plant continued to wither, and none of us could understand why.

Later, I realized what had happened. Because the plant was placed in the hallway, it was constantly brushed against as people passed by. I remember walking past it, my leg grazing the stem and the leaves trembling—but I never imagined that such small touches could actually harm it. The damage started at the leaf tips and gradually worked its way down to the roots, eventually killing the plant. What felt like a harmless nudge to me must have felt like a devastating blow to the plant.

Only then did I recall my mother’s warnings: “Don’t hurt my plants,” and “Be careful when you walk.” Regretfully, I had not taken her words to heart. Because the plant did not mean much to me, I treated it carelessly—and even snapped at her once, asking why she had placed it in the hallway in the first place. She would calmly reply, “A home needs balance. That plant belongs there—it fits perfectly in both size and shape.” At the time, I felt a bit resentful of her fussing.

Now, the once-vibrant pot sits with nothing but dark soil and a few withered leaves. My mother was heartbroken, and even the air in our home felt a little heavier. I had thought of the plant as nothing more than decoration, but only after losing it did I realize how much life and freshness it had brought to our home.

I began to wonder whether my careless words and actions toward my Zion family had left unseen wounds. Even if they seemed fine on the outside, I worried that someone might be silently hurting inside, their heart weighed down by pain.

Like a plant needs time, care, and affection to grow healthy and strong, a soul’s faith, too, flourishes through love and nurture. Every day, our Heavenly Mother pours out the water of life upon, tending us with love and devotion. How heartbreaking it must be for Her when once of Her precious children is wounded by my careless words or actions.

From now on, I will cherish my brothers and sisters with greater care, so that my thoughtlessness may no longer cause Mother concern. After all, we are all precious children, lovingly cared for by our Heavenly Father and Mother.