The Human Sensitive Plant
By Mary Alice Hare Loper
A Suggestion from the Sensitive Garden Herb— The Destruction of Joy and Life Itself by Over-Sensitiveness By MRS. MARY ALICE HARE LOPER, M. S. ONE of the sweet recollections of my childhood days is that of a visit with my father to the gardens of a German florist who lived not far from my early home. Like all children, I was very fond of flowers, and hence I took great delight in viewing the fascinating beauties of that inclosure where nature displayed her skill in so marked a manner as a reward for the faithful efforts of the devoted gardener. Many beautiful blossoms seemed to smile beneath our fond inspection; and they were of such a nature that they would not frown if touched, or even picked, for one's pleasure. But I shall never forget one little plant to which our attention was called, which possessed a very peculiar make-up. The gardener told us it was called the sensitive plant—a very appropriate name indeed. A casual glance revealed a very pretty leafed plant. But, alas! Upon closer acquaintance, we found that if a leaf were touched, unintentionally or otherwise, it had a tendency to close up as though its feelings had been very much wounded. THE HUMAN SENSITIVE PLANT
Here and there in the garden of life are human sensitive plants. Such persons have never permitted themselves to “rub elbows” very much with the world, and therefore do not recognize that others have rights equal to their own. Their selfish tendencies have been so cultivated that they look at others through the magnifying lens of adverse criticism. They wear their nerves on the outside, as it were, although nature carefully covers them up. They are living epistles, known and read in every language; but the melancholy message they bear to the world, never does any one any good. The sensitive plant in nature's garden does not wither unless it is really touched; but the human species withers under the influence of imaginary touches as well. Those who are associated with these human specimens, know how very disagreeable their society is. They are capable of keeping their best friends in a constant state of uncertainty. On one occasion, they may be all smiles; and the very next time they are met, they may, without any visible cause, look as though there were nothing in life worth living for. Human sensitive plants habitually cultivate the very unpleasant and disagreeable trait of faultfinding. They have humored themselves until they have become spoiled, and act like small children in need of discipline. While they make others very unhappy, they make themselves most unhappy of all. “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” But such persons are not known because of the fragrance of good deeds and kind acts that goes out in blessing to those in need. They come far short of giving to humanity the best service of which they are capable. Over-sensitiveness means under-usefulness; for one who cultivates this tendency, circumscribes his sphere of good. He forms the habit of becoming blue and unhappy. If no one has hurt his feelings recently, there have been many in the past who have done so; and these memories he keeps fresh, ready to be brought forth on all occasions. It is truly unprofitable to meditate upon and talk about that which always brings unhappiness. David says, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee,”—quite different from that other sentiment, “Others’ words have I hid in my heart, that I might sin against Thee.” The soul who practices the latter sentiment, does not live very near to the throne. If one must tell how he has been slighted, let him tell it to God in secret, and then wait to hear what God has to say in reply. The “still small voice” is the greatest educator in the world, but it never tells any one to meditate upon and talk about the failings of others. On the contrary, it teaches, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” PROFITABLE EMPLOYMENT AN ANTIDOTE
There is nothing like keeping so profitably employed that one has no time for harmful meditation. Many of the troubles of life are purely imaginary, and all the rest are for our good. Little personal wounds should be ignored by the individual who receives them. He should rise above petty annoyances that gnaw at the very vitals of spiritual life. No one can live up to his privileges as a Christian, and at the same time live up to his opportunities as a sensitive plant. It is deplorable for one to bury his talents beneath the musty debris of slights and personal thrusts; but this can be done. And those talents can never be restored to usefulness until he to whom they belong has decided to abandon self and to live for the good of others. It is possible for one to have his thoughts so taken up with criticism of the church in general, that it is almost impossible to persuade him that the failings of church people do not in the least affect the genuineness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is a sad mistake to run the risk of losing the joys of heaven because of the faults and failings of others. THE CHURCH SENSITIVE PLANT
Have you a sensitive plant in your church? If so, you no doubt have had the privilege of looking upon his distorted features quite frequently; for the one that grows in the church garden is usually about as touchy as those found elsewhere. The reason is, he is not thoroughly converted. He does not discipline himself to practice constant consecration. He expects more attention from others, perhaps, than is his just due. He criticizes the actions of others in a way that shows his lack of intimate acquaintance with Christ. He is not the constant spiritual uplift that every church member should be. One sensitive plant in a church, at times renders the whole atmosphere disagreeable. Everybody knows when he thinks he has been “touched,” his fallen countenance and disconsolate manner being very much in evidence. The effect is depressing, and has a tendency to discourage persons who are new in the Christian way, and who have a right to expect better things from those who have made a Christian profession for a longer time. NURSING GRIEVANCES AND USEFULNESS
The work of the gospel suffers at the hands of those who think they have been slighted or mistreated. Such meditations have a tendency to exalt self, and to place stumbling blocks in the way of others. No one can spend his time in faultfinding, and in nursing either real or imaginary wounds, without neglecting his God-given work of being a blessing to humanity. One should remember that his actions may be just as disagreeable to others as others’ actions are to him. It is no one's province to dictate what another shall or shall not do. It was not Peter's business to dictate as to John's work. But Christ did not say, “Mind your own business, Peter”; for Christ always spoke in befitting terms. He simply said, “If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou Me.” It was Peter's duty to look after his own work; for he had plenty to do to occupy all his time, without meddling about what others should do. Peter was the sensitive plant in the gospel garden of the disciples, as was very evident when he severed the ear from one who was disrespectful to the Lord. Jesus did not commend him for thus giving up to provocation. He does condemn any one for becoming wrought up over anything. We are not to feel sore over what any one else does, whether intentionally to wound or otherwise. There are many sensitive plants in the human garden of earth, but there will be none in heaven. People who are to live there, will learn here to bear imaginary or real slights, and to keep sweet over them. It is a blessed thing to become so seasoned by doing good that one does not realize that he has any “feelings.” The gospel does not appeal to feelings, but to the higher qualities of the mind. The Christian knows that his sins are forgiven, no matter what his feelings may be. Take selfish feelings from the human sensitive plant, and his whole nature would be changed. This is just what Christ wants to do for every soul who has not yet had his ill feelings eliminated. This done, happiness reigns supreme in the heart, and hope thrills the harp of life with a new song, while a blessed consecration to personal service for others keeps silent every discordant note.