Some Interference In My Garden

I enjoy gardening. There's just something satisfying about preparing your ground, planting your seeds, seeing the growth of your harvest, then enjoying and sharing the sweet reward.

My garden happens to be a place where I'll often meet with God. God has used my garden many times to minister to me. This morning was one of those times.

Before I get to that, something you must know about me is that I'm a very meticulous person. I like things neat, orderly, clean, and done in a spirit of excellence.

I looked up the word meticulous in the dictionary and had to laugh when I read the definition. Here's what I read:

1. taking or showing extreme care about minute details; precise; thorough

2. finicky; fussy

Yes...that's me, alright! Call me finicky or fussy sometimes, but I just happen to think, that, if and when we are doing anything, we need to do it to the best of our ability.

So, in my meticulous manner, I was up this early morning pulling the small weeds that were growing between my vegetables. I know many gardeners that will not bother with such a small and seemingly insignificant thing, but not me. I think it's important to remove any interference from your intended growth, and you'll also have a much prettier garden for it!

So there I am in the quiet dawn, picking and pulling, when God gently points out to me that my life lately has been much like my garden. There's been some interference growing in between my harvest. I quickly identified how many of these things were a result of my father's passing. When he passed away, the world as I knew it was completely changed. Not only was my hero gone, but much was required from me to pick up the pieces that were left behind. Can I just be real with you all? I've been frustrated by this and even angry at times.

I have held on to God, but without realizing it, many little weeds have gone overlooked.

This morning, God reminded me of just how quick small, un-dealt with weeds will grow into unruly weeds, ultimately stunting growth, and damaging the harvest. I saw that just like in my garden, it was time to pluck the weeds (interferences) in my life.

From my gardening experience, I know that the key to effective and quick weed control is to eradicate them while they are still small. You've got to identify which plants (burdens) are causing a hindrance and get rid of them!

It doesn't take a genius to realize that if you can get in the practice of doing this, just like anything else, you will quickly learn which of those things will grow into weeds. Once you know what to look for, it will just take a quick glance at your life to spot the areas that need attention. As you gain control over the weeds, your life will gain the benefit. You will gain new vigor, and your healthy new growth will help choke out future weeds before they get a chance to grow.

Boy, how easily we forget sometimes!

I don't know? Maybe this was something that was just meant for me this morning. Maybe not. I'd love to hear from you if could identify with any of it. Regardless, I just want you all to know I have not abandoned you. I've just been in a process that I've needed time for.

I hope you all know just how much I love you and have missed you!