Tag Archive for: weeds

No weeds…yet

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As I look at the tiny shoots from upcoming lettuce and spinach seeds, I rejoice. The light green tips appear tiny and innocent, soft and succulent. No weeds around them—only pure, virgin soil. Yet, it won’t be long and insistent weeds will pop up disguising themselves as good. 

How often does this happen in my own life? What seems harmless at first, a word here, a gesture there, and before I know it I’m in deeper than I’d ever thought possible. I never meant to hurt anyone with a harsh or suggestive word, yet it happened. Once an action is committed, I’m not able to take it back.

Prayer: Help me to be more sensitive to other people’s feelings. I need to listen more and speak less. God, remind me to take time to pause and think through the ramifications of my actions.

Ask:  Are there some words spoken you wish you hadn’t said or even thought? Maybe you participated in an action you weren’t proud of. Can you ask forgiveness and start fresh again today?

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Tending to the gardens in my life

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Tending to the garden.  It takes time and energy.  A few years ago I didn’t even plant a garden.  My excuse was that I live in a condo and there’s no room. But that’s all it was: an excuse.  Since then, I purchased a few large pots to set on the deck and two planters that fit snugly on top of my deck rail.  It works beautifully!  Just enough soil for veggies and herbs to suit our family.  There’s nothing quite like gathering a handful of fresh lettuce for a summer salad.

I am learning that it still takes time to produce a good crop.  Just like it takes time and energy to produce a healthy heart and mind.  Weeds come in the garden of life and unless I get after them, they multiply and take over spaces where they don’t belong. 

Prayer: Dear God, please forgive me for not tending to the garden of my heart. It’s so easy to see flaws in my neighbor and overlook neglect in my own mind and make excuses for ungodly actions.   

Ask: Is there some weed in the garden of your heart? Maybe it’s a seed of bitterness or jealousy over what someone else has and you do not.  What can you do today to reduce or eliminate that pesky weed? 

“Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Philippians 4:8).

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