Blossoms or weeds?
After what has seemed like months of constant rain, we’ve recently been gifted with several consecutive days of sunshine. What a blessing!
Birds and tree frogs are singing their spring melodies. Squirrels chatter as they scurry about, searching under a carpet of brown leaves for a snack. Our pastures show a touch of green. At this time of year I get the itch to work in my yard, but only my daffodils display their golden blossoms thus far.
But, something else is already growing in full force, trying to dominate my flower beds before anything else can sprout…
Weeds!
How can it be that weeds are getting such a head start on everything else? It’s still winter!
A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.” Matthew 13:3-6
I’ve worked my flowers beds for many years, so the soil is rich and well nourished. I don’t mind sharing seeds with the birds. I even tolerate my dog digging holes to bury treasures she wants to save.
But, I don’t like weeds!
In this first week of March, my weeds are already healthy and green, doing their best to choke out perennials that bravely push their tiny sprouts above ground to absorb the warmth of spring sun.
Weeding is not my favorite chore, but I’ve had a great deal of practice. I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way) that the best way to defeat weeds is to start early (when they first appear) and be persistent (weed regularly). These two strategies work for me to eliminate weeds before they dominate my flower beds, choking out all other plants.
I strive to prevent weeds from gaining a foothold.
As Paul urged the early Christians:
That, however, is not the way of life you learned when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires, to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. ‘In your anger do not sin:’ Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.” Ephesians 4:20-27
Do not give the devil a foothold.
In this case, what works for weeding is effective for us as well. When sin tries to work its way into our lives (and it will), we must be quick to intervene (pull the weeds just as they emerge) and be consistent in our battle against sin.
Our strategies of battle?
- Be in God’s Word regularly–daily devotions and Bible Study. His Word provides wisdom and discernment for us to make good decisions.
- Be in prayer–ask God to help you stand firm against the temptations (weeds) the devil places in your path.
- When temptation strikes, PRAY! Ask others to pray for you. Seek an accountability partner to help.
- Consider your decisions carefully. Don’t be in a hurry. Take time for prayer and thoughtful reflection before making a decision, especially if you are struggling. If something doesn’t feel right–it probably isn’t.
What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31
God will stand with us against the devil, against those persistent weeds that constantly try to take over our walk with God, choking out our relationship with our Lord.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:10, 13-17
Friends, I pray your springtime will be filled with joy and happiness; that your life is blessed with the beauty of of God’s garden path; and with God’s help, your journey is protected from the weeds of temptation.
What is your favorite outdoor springtime activity? If you are blessed with a warm and sunny day this week, I hope you will take some time to enjoy being in God’s beautiful world.
What perfect timing for this post. I was just thinking this morning; I need to get my pastures sprayed before the weeds gain a foothold! The clover, rye grass, and vetch are coming up already; and while they’ll do their part to squeeze out the weeds, it’s much easier to eliminate them early in the cycle than it is after they’ve sucked all those nutrients out of the soil and grown more sturdy. Much like our journey in faith I think. 🙂 Have a blessed week Ms. Katherine. Can’t wait to see and hear you on PJNET TV real soon. Thursday night’s right?
We have vetch in some of our hay fields. If we don’t cut early enough, it is so large and bulky that it rolls up in huge balls. Our “old” baler doesn’t like that much. You are right, my friend, weeds steal nutrients from the soil, robbing the crops. Makes us recognize that having weeds in our lives creates major problems for us as well. I’m on PJNET TV on the third Thursday of the month. Always an honor to be an opening for you, J.D.
“Pull the weeds as they emerge” is a principle to take away for thoughts, negatives communication tendencies, and habits. Love the buds and blossoms that are beginning to appear, but your post on weeds gives caution. Thank you.
Thank you, Marilyn. I’m looking forward to more of those “buds and blossoms” as Spring continues to make its presence known. Pulling weeds in my yard is good therapy for me, even though I don’t enjoy it much. Now, if only pulling those “weeds” that have invaded my life was as easy. Perhaps we just need to seek the guidance of the Master Gardener!
A great comparison between weeds and allowing the devil a foothold in our lives. I appreciated the strategies for weeding him out!!
Your description of spring signs make me look forward to those appearing here sometime!! a foot or more of snow is expected on Saturday!!
More snow? Oh, my. We’ve had seventy degree days and sunshine most of this week while you’re still in the midst of winter. Of course, this is just temporary, but reminds us that Spring is coming. I expect you are ready for some sunshine and flowers, too. Wishing you much beauty in the snow and sunny days ahead!
I hate those weeds too, Katherine. Not my favorite yard chore. And some of them have roots all the way to China! It takes some digging to get them out. That’s the reason when those weeds of temptation try to plant in our minds we must root them out immediately. The longer the weed stays the harder it is to get it out. Being in God’s Word daily gives us ammunition against the weed seeds. Thanks for sharing!
Oh, yes! Those dandelions do have roots to China, I think. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Barbara. I agree, the longer the weeds stay, the stronger their roots and greater is the challenge of removing them. Your solution is right on target–God will fight the battle of weeds in our lives if we but reach out to Him.
Weeds in my yard drove me crazy, and then we put down two inches of mulch. Cedar mulch that smells good. I didn’t have to weed for 2 months! There’s got to be a lesson in that too. If I can take preventative measures, I can guard myself against temptation even more. I think God has been doing that in my life recently. I still have to weed, but by His grace it may be harder for the weed to win.
Thank you for your post! I love gardening, and that’s what I want to do now that it’s warmer. But of course, like you said, I have to weed first!
I love gardening, too, Katy. Putting my hands in the dirt, on my knees planting and weeding–and watching as God rewards us with beauty. I love the smell of mulch, although I haven’t used cedar mulch before. That probably also helps keep away some harmful insects. More support for your point of preventive maintenance to get rid of those weeds in the garden and in our lives. Wishing you a blessed and beautiful spring, my friend.
Great reminders here! The weeds I see emerging in my front beds weigh me down with dread. But I’ve got to get out there and tackle them before they become even worse. Very good analogy with sin.
Happy Gardening!
Happy gardening to you, too, Candyce. One thing for sure about weeds, the longer we wait to remove them, the more entrenched they are. Sounds like those weeds in our lives, too, don’t you think? Wishing you a blessed, sunny, and weed-free day!