When we moved to our house in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin some twenty-plus years ago, I wanted to create a backyard and deck area that gave me joy and peace. I love all of nature but especially birch trees, flowers, rocks and birds.
Working in my yard was a blessing as it kept my mind busy through some stressful, anxiety-producing situations over many years. But the peace I had sitting on my deck and enjoying the color and scent of flowers and singing of the birds was continually threatened by the demands of maintaining my yard.
I remember keeping up with the relentless onslaught of weeds was overwhelming and recall a time my verbal reaction did not at all reflect God’s gifts of peace and patience. I remember the ranting I had done but then my heart spoke that maintaining a yard is much like stewarding a Christian life.
Sometimes the weeds are big and you have to dig deep to make sure you get the whole root out. It is hard work. Most weeds are annoyingly small things that have a niggly, frail little root that breaks easily and continues to grow just under the surface. And you get worn out with constantly dealing with the little weeds since they never seem to go away.
In this broken world there are some serious, sorrow-filled problems many Christians are challenged to endure. In our daily life, Satan prowls around us constantly with tricks and temptations and distractions that threaten to overwhelm us and destroy the gifts God wants for us.
When I moved to Arizona, I looked forward to having a rocky yard with cactus plants assuming I would no longer have the task of weeding. I was very wrong.
So the weeds will keep coming in my yard and my life. But I want God to be the gardener of my heart and pray that He grants me the full blessings of joy and peace in the beauty of the world He created and in the relationships He provides for support and encouragement.
May you pray without ceasing that God bless your heart with all joy and perseverance to root out the pain you are going through!
