Weed…seems to me I have written a lot on weeds but with this group of writings for this blog, I only found one other . But if I peruse through my other writings I am sure I’d find more.
I love the flowers of summer…I love the flowers that I plant, the wildflowers and even the ones that are considered as weeds. Really, if I look at a dandelion by itself (without the prejudice of knowing it infringes on a perfect looking lawn), I consider it beautiful. Even as it dies it is beautiful as the seeds float away carrying childhood wishes.
This summer I got one of those long enduring summer sinus infections. It took me out for a couple of weeks. It was followed by 90+ degree weather (I have no tolerance for that heat) then the smoke from wildfires overtook us! Air quality was dangerously poor.
When I finally could breathe freely again and the temperatures became tolerable, I went out to weed. I could not believe how weeds in those 3-4 weeks of neglect had engulfed my flowers.
The whole concept of gardening reminds me of God’s care for us. The tenacity of weeds never ceases to amaze me…and never ceases to remind me of the tenacity of the enemy.
I’d like to think of myself as this pretty little flower in the garden of my Lord (think He sees me that way?). And really, I would like to sit back passively growing, being fed and drinking in the sunlight. Such an ideal thought, right?
But the reality is we are in a fallen world, and the garden of my mind constantly needs tending and care to combat the weeds (the enemy) from crowding my faith, trust and focus.
Just like our bodies, flowers need good nutrition to grow…and just like both of those, I in my relationship with the Creator of the universe need to have good nutrition to grow it.
Here’s how I see it:
- God’s love is the sun (or Son) shining on us.
- Reading the Bible is the fertilizer (nutrition) that strengthens and protects our minds.
- Time with Christian friends, church, Bible Studies, and/or small groups are the water that helps us bloom.
All are needed…without one of them, we may be able to survive ok, but our bloom will not have intensity or longevity. But with it all we can be like a sunflower whose stalk is strong and flower is majestic gracing all who walk by.
That’s my goal, to be like the sunflower standing strong and majestic for the Lord…to grace all who cross my path.
“as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,” I Peter 2:2
“But He answered and said, “It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”” Matthew 4:4
Well done