Several times during the week we have done a clean sweep of the yard. A few days later there would be fewer weeds, but we would sweep again. And then again. This gave me lots of time to do that dangerous thing we call thinking :)
Most recently I pulled dandelions while the children were napping. In the quiet, with the paced work, my mind was able to really run. I started thinking about the dandelions. And how as we pulled them and felt accomplished when we got them "all" up, the next day there seemed to be twice as many. I thought of cultivating our lawn as cultivating our children, who had a particularly challenging week. And pulling dandelions I related to the discipline that they need. Sometimes it seems like we get all the weeds pulled, then there are just as many as before. Sometimes I get physically tired, and it seems better to just stop and let things be than to keep going. But to not pull a dandelion has consequences. The white puff blows tons of seeds across the yard. The dandelion also covers and kills what can be a large piece of good grass. This exposes a piece of dirt which then becomes a breading ground for bad grass and weeds, that will then spread to the rest of the yard.
Isn't it the same with sin in our lives, as well as the lives of our kids? It is exhausting to keep fighting. The battle is hard. But it isn't an equal trade to give up and let things lie. The consequences of not fighting are serious. The weeds win if we do nothing in our yard. Sin wins if we do nothing in our lives.
This year I am just a little bit thankful for the dandelions as they encourage me to keep up the good fight for things worth fighting for.
As for you, brothers, do not weary in doing good.
2 Thessalonians 3:13, ESV
Well said, my sweet daughter . . . keep up the fight on both (all) fronts . . . you are doing well! Happy Mother's Day! Love you!
ReplyDelete