Clintonia or Bluebead-Lily  (Clintonia borealis)

Clintonia Leaves and Flowers

Good Habitats – Wants and Needs
And my God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:19  (NRSV)

            The Clintonia lives as far north as Hardiness Zone 3.  There north wind blows, the temperature drops as far as forty below zero, and the Clintonia lies dormant under a blanket of soil and leaves. Conifer needles decay and provide acid for the moist soil in which it prefers to grow.  When the warm rays of spring sun heat the soil, large, shiny green leaves and buds appear.  Finally pale yellow nodding flowers open.  Warmth is good but if this plant had too much of a good thing, too much warmth at the wrong time of year, it would not grow well.
            Each type of plant has special needs.  If the habitat in which it is placed provides for those needs it thrives; if not, it is likely to whither and die.
            Each of us has special needs. We also have wants.  There are some things we like and want very much but too much of a good thing may not be good for us. 
Our Heavenly Father promises to provide for our needs.  This does not mean that we will have all we want.  That may create the wrong “habitat” in which we can live and grow.  God knows what we need and promises to provide for our needs.

Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for promising to provide for all of our needs.  Help us to trust you.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Things to Think About and Do
•  What are basic needs?  How are they different from “wants” we have?  How has God provided for basic needs in your life?
•  Look in seed catalogues or books about plants to learn about the hardiness zone in which you live.  What are the weather conditions in that zone?  Examine plant descriptions to learn about what will grow well in that hardiness zone.
•  Within each zone there are mini-climatic zones because of land barriers, wind and water conditions, or the amount of sunshine or shade available.  What factors create mini-climatic zones in the area where you live?
•  Find places that have acid soil.  What is the source of the acid for the soil?  What kinds of plants grow in that habitat?  Record what you see.