Do you ever feel like a flower? Sometimes feeling strong, tall, full, beautiful and nourished, and other times dry, lonely, lacking and even starving? I never would have thought of comparing my life to that of a flower, but as I continue to seek God in the small things throughout my day, I’m faced with the reality of His beauty even in the midst of the dreadful “chores”. Watering the flowers has been one of my children’s summer chores. Today, being the hottest day of summer, the flowers were in DIRE need of a drink, but the kids “room arrest” came at a time that left me to do this particular chore (if I wanted my flowers to live). I really didn’t mind – considering I was a little overheated and my temper needed a little cooling off from everything that lead up to the room arrest. (Hmm.. I only wish I would have taken that cool down period sooner than I did – words spoken in anger are the hardest to forget. Sometimes more for moms than the kids).
Okay – so back to the flowers. Although it’s not the first time I have weeded my landscaping garden, or taken the time to enjoy the beauty as a gift from God, but this particular time it just really hit me. Look at the flower – it’s just minding it’s own stem-like flowery self growing where it was planted. It had all of the things it needed: sun, soil, water. But look closer – what is that reaching in between the small crack in the fence? Another flower – no – a pesky vine that DOES NOT even belong on THIS side of the fence. It might look pretty over on the other side – but it doesn’t belong over here. It is NOT wanted over here. It has not only crept its way through the fence, but it has also managed to intertwine itself around many of the flower stems, choking them and weighing them down. Now let me ask you again – have you ever felt like this flower does.. at the moment that this unwanted vine had so tightly twisted and maneuvered itself around something that was already attempting to survive the current demands of the season? I removed the vines.... yet again!
I’m not a gardener, but I do enjoy spending time outside and caring for the landscaping flowers, and yard, so it’s not the first time I have ever noticed unwanted leaves, weeds and vines. But this time, I was in just the right mood (ok..actually a bad mood) and had to resist screaming at the stinkin’ vine to stay on its own darn side of the fence. I’ve pulled these vines out SEVERAL times – why do they keep growing back? They are not planted on MY side of the fence. I considered going to the other side of the fence and pulling them out from the root (I don’t think my elderly neighbor would really mind) but I had a feeling – that would only be another temporary fix – but surely it would last longer than a week or so. Those pesky vines are constantly making their way through almost every section of our fence and taking over my flowers. I can keep grumbling and pulling them out (and I will) but I also felt like God was nudging me to stop, and recognize what weeds in my life have crept in and are taking over? Dare I name a few? Selfishness, busyness, hurt, fear, rejection, insecurity, emptiness, anger, bitterness…and I could go on and on. Just like these vines that are (I’m sure) beautiful on the OTHER side of the fence –where they are wanted – they are a nuisance to ME. How do those pesky little vines so quickly and easily sneak up and take over before we realize the weight they produce and the damage they inflict? Why do they have to interfere anyway?
I’m reminded of the passage in John 15:1-5 and just as I am the gardener for my earthly garden, Jesus is my Father and Gardener of MY life – and He holds my life in the palm of His hands – no matter what season or shape it’s in. He will continue to reveal the weeds, and give me what I need to thrive, not just survive, from season to season. “Thank you Jesus for the small moments that makes me aware of Your love, beauty, and forgiveness. Thank you for being the Gardener in my life. Amen."
I’m not a gardener, but I do enjoy spending time outside and caring for the landscaping flowers, and yard, so it’s not the first time I have ever noticed unwanted leaves, weeds and vines. But this time, I was in just the right mood (ok..actually a bad mood) and had to resist screaming at the stinkin’ vine to stay on its own darn side of the fence. I’ve pulled these vines out SEVERAL times – why do they keep growing back? They are not planted on MY side of the fence. I considered going to the other side of the fence and pulling them out from the root (I don’t think my elderly neighbor would really mind) but I had a feeling – that would only be another temporary fix – but surely it would last longer than a week or so. Those pesky vines are constantly making their way through almost every section of our fence and taking over my flowers. I can keep grumbling and pulling them out (and I will) but I also felt like God was nudging me to stop, and recognize what weeds in my life have crept in and are taking over? Dare I name a few? Selfishness, busyness, hurt, fear, rejection, insecurity, emptiness, anger, bitterness…and I could go on and on. Just like these vines that are (I’m sure) beautiful on the OTHER side of the fence –where they are wanted – they are a nuisance to ME. How do those pesky little vines so quickly and easily sneak up and take over before we realize the weight they produce and the damage they inflict? Why do they have to interfere anyway?
I’m reminded of the passage in John 15:1-5 and just as I am the gardener for my earthly garden, Jesus is my Father and Gardener of MY life – and He holds my life in the palm of His hands – no matter what season or shape it’s in. He will continue to reveal the weeds, and give me what I need to thrive, not just survive, from season to season. “Thank you Jesus for the small moments that makes me aware of Your love, beauty, and forgiveness. Thank you for being the Gardener in my life. Amen."
