"Going Wild"

Before anyone thinks this a post about Spring Break in Cancun, or a post about the antics of a disgruntled postal worker....let me set your mind at ease...this is about something much more mundane: the lessons learned from gardening. 

Each spring, for the last few years I have taken a real pride in planting a few herbs, vegetables and flowers.  Each day seems to brings a new sprout, a new burst of color and the excitement of good home cooking.  As a Southern Woman, I have to say there are few things as wonderful as that tomato sandwich in the summer...and as a "foodie" I love saying to my daughters: " Go outside and pinch off a few sprigs of basil and oregano please.." aahhh....it's fabulous.

But, before we go any further....it must be said: No matter how any hours spent cultivating the soil, spending time picking the perfect seeds, watering and tending to all those little plant needs....IT ALWAYS WANTS TO GO WILD!!!

I spent close to three hours the other day, weeding the vegetable garden.  Now I'm not talking about acreage to make an Amish farmer shake in his workboots...I'm only talking about 8' x 8'cleared area in my back yard..  I am only growing 5 or 6 different vegetables, but the work? excruciating.  It didn't help that I'd been gone for 5 days.  5 days? Not a month, not 2 weeks....5 days.  The yard, was trying to take over. again. I say again, because this is a never-ending process.

Feeling tired, but happy I watered everything again and relaxed on my porch picturing the ripe tomatoes, fresh lettuce, onions, and squash soon to come.  Then, I looked at the flowerbeds....geez... here we go again.

I think of our walk with God.  We hear an amazing sermon on Sunday. We leave church; empowered, encouraged, and determined to let the word take root and grow in our hearts.....
We hear an amazing worship song.  It speaks right to where you're living and you know it was meant for you.....
We have a great devotional time, either with friends or during a quiet time, and again...renewed, hopeful and steadfast in our faith....

Then. Monday. Bills. Teenagers. Bills. Car troubles. Ex-husband/Ex-wife troubles. Church committees. Fundraisers. Mom, these shoes don't fit anymore. Bills. She hit me. He hit me.  I'm lonely. I'm depressed. The test results are in.....I could go on as could you.

All the freshly groomed rooted word...is instantly surrounded by weeds....that's right. Your garden is going wild. 

It seems like you've just taken a moment to relax and revel in the word "blossoming and taking root" in your heart and the cares, stresses, demands and hurts of living start trying to negate all your hard work.  You've "been here" already.  You've already "pulled those weeds." Yet, here's the crabgrass of life again.

Here's the beautiful thing.  Just like our gardens...we have a choice. We can just let "let the weeds" take over...or we can put on our works boots, grab our tools and get to work.  Jesus said, when he left this earth...."I will not leave you comfortless."  We aren't doing this alone. 

Is this walk we're on easy? Well. no.  Is it worth it? Most definitely yes.....the rewards are immeasurable.
Peace, Joy, Grace and a love I could never deserve or attain on my own.  So, yes, the weeds will come. That is the price of living on this side of eternity.  But when we think about it....the harder the experience, the greater the testimony.  " He that is forgiven much....loves much." So, bloom baby....bloom.