We wanted to know more but could not find them under the name she called them, October Roses. After a whole lot of trying, we finally came upon them at a nursery website from Australia: hibiscus cannabinus. Yes, that is a suspicious name and the leaves looked a bit suspicious too, but no, they are not that illegal plant you instantly thought of when you saw that Latin name. If you are really interested in all their uses, which include salad leaves, cooking oil, paper, cordage, varnish, and diet supplements, go to this Aussie website: https://fairdinkumseeds.com/products-page/brassica-lettuce-and-asian-greens/hibiscus-cannabinus-red-kenaf-brown-indian-hemp-seeds/ . It's an interesting read.
We also discovered that they are "full sun" plants, and here ours were in the deep shade of a live oak tree, just like the neighbor's had been. So last spring we moved them. Those three foot high plants have shot up to nearly 9 feet tall and they appear to be climbing. I can hardly wait to see what happens with the blooms now that they are where they belong. Things always do better when they are placed where God intended them to be.
I have seen some brothers and sisters who seem to think otherwise. I can look at Facebook, for example, and see where they hang out and with whom, not to mention what they are doing. The language of the people they mingle with in their comments also makes it readily apparent that this is not where a Christian belongs. Don't give me the usual, "But Jesus ate with sinners," excuse. Jesus ate with sinners so he could teach them and reach them and bring them to repentance. How much teaching are you doing? How many have repented? Let me tell you what those friends of yours whom you are not teaching think about you. They think you are a hypocrite who claims to be one thing while living another. They evidently know better than you that you ought not to be in that place, nor doing those things. Just ask them what a Christian should and should not do and see for yourself.
That is only the most obvious way that we plant ourselves in the wrong places and then wonder why we don't grow. Who are you dating? Who did you marry? The answer to those questions will dictate the focus of the rest of your life. The focus for a Christian should be serving the Lord, something that a married person can only do to his absolute best when married to someone else with that same focus. I know some sad people who will tell you not to make the same mistake they did.
What about the occupation you have chosen? Some things may not be wrong, but they have a tendency to put you in places you don't need to be, places and situations far too dangerous for your soul. The same thing is true of hobbies and special interests. Be careful out there, and don't fool yourself for a few fleeting pleasures.
Where have you chosen to live? Do you have a group of strong, faithful brethren you can spend your spare time with, go to for advice, and lean on in times of trouble? Or are you forced to go it alone, trying your best to be what you need to be with no help within a couple hours' drive? Most folks my age can make a list of people who thought they could "start a church there," only to completely fall away from the Lord within a couple of years. All for a well-paying job or "great opportunity." Opportunity for what, exactly?
It really does matter where you plant yourself. You may grow three feet tall and put out a few blooms and think you are fine, but tell me why your Heavenly Father should be satisfied with that when He meant for you to grow upwards of ten feet tall, covered with blooms? Don't plant yourself in the dark shade when you were meant to be placed in the full light of the Son.
They are planted in the house of Jehovah; They shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; They shall be full of sap and green: To show that Jehovah is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him. Ps 92:13-15
Dene Ward