First Ladies

MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH WEEDS

Did you ever notice that when God created the world, nothing had sprung up from the ground until He watered it with springs from within the earth? And…how trees were the growing choice “du jour”, not WEEDS? I am pretty sure that no weeds were included in the architectural plan of the Garden of Eden. Surely original sin and those pesky little “thorns in our flesh” were somehow tied in together. I can just see it now…Adam and Eve take a bite out of the fruit that marked the downfall of our perfect relationship with the Lord and at their feet a dandelion immediately sprung up. In fact, I am sure that after that moment of original sin, everywhere they walked, there must have been a trail of weeds following them…kind of like the annoying way a hole in an ice bag leaves a trail. Those “blooming” weeds were springing up everywhere!

Have you ever noticed the lovely names that weeds have been given? Of course, there are all those official botanical names, but we have bestowed common names as if to make these “living monsters” our little friends. Here are a few of them: yellow foxtail, goathead, chickweed (makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside when you mention their cute animal-like names). Then, there are the weeds that have noble names like the speedwell. Don’t forget those labeled with names that dare to fool you such as blue grass, barnyard grass, or timothy grass (yes, this weed has my husband’s name). These grassy names make one feel as if weeds should be part of the grand scale of your yard. I, personally, think that crab grass is the only one that got it right. I certainly feel crabby after I spend hours “visiting” with my garden friends.

Perhaps you have not only noticed weeds in your yard, but also in the garden of your life. Items and issues which threaten to crowd out all the best parts of living. Pesky little annoyances that seem to spring up from nowhere and continue to take over your joy and peace. I am always amazed at the strength of some of the weeds with which I deal. Their roots run so deeply that I cannot simply kick them up with the toe of my boot, but I have to take serious action to completely extract them from the ground. By the way, that really is the key to this “weed thing”…you have to go to the root if you want victory. Maybe some of the situations you are facing could easily take on the weed name of a devil’s claw…something’s got a hold of you! “Why are we so prone to defend choices that take us right to the edge of sin?” * Sometimes these weeds are the ones that WE have allowed to be planted in our lives. In pursuing our desire for what we think is the perfect life, we compromise what we know to be right by the Word of God. It is not easy to make those hard choices of life when “wrong” comes disguised as “right”…when “ugly” looks so much like “beauty” …when a weed closely resembles a flower. But as women of God, we must keep Hebrew 12: 14-17 ever before us…

“Constantly be eagerly seeking after …holiness.” **

James 4:1 asks the question concerning fights and quarrels among us,

“…don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?”

Every believer must first look within himself when dealing with life’s challenges… be proactive in asking the hard questions that lead to repentance. After we have dealt with ourselves, before our loving Father, then we can much more easily accept and deal with all that God has allowed to spring up in our lives.

“…humbly accept the Word planted in you, which can save you.” James 1:21

So… here is my best trick for dealing with those horrid, yet, oh so familiar companions in the garden: soak the area with water first! After you do this, they quickly yield to your touch. You will almost have fun pulling those weeds …okay that may be pushing it!

Water your heart, also, with God’s precious Word. You will be amazed at how quickly those once paralyzing circumstances melt away as you yield in obedience to His Word.

I love you all dearly …now go do some gardening and get after those weeds!
 (oh yes, I don’t think there were flies in the garden either)
lori

*Holiness: The Heart God Purifies, Nancy DeMoss
**Kenneth Wuest translation