I know I've written a post about weeds, or an analogy about them anyway, in the past.
Still, the subject keeps popping up (pun intended) now that I am a homeowner and solely responsible for keeping my yard of rocks well-maintained.
So these are the kind of deep thoughts that come to me while I'm plucking up the little nuisances every couple of weekends.
Inspiration is everywhere, right?
 |
| an imposter in my yard |
One thing I've learned about weeds is that at first they can easily camouflage themselves and mostly be ignored.
You can go about your busy schedule, focusing on all that you feel is important, pretending they're not even there.
Some are so deceitfully pretty that they could even pass as pleasant foliage or regular grass.
They can look like the real deal. They appear to be good growth.
However, time proves what they are.
Turn your back on them for just a moment--find other duties and devices to preoccupy your time.
Before long they're tall, bristly, overgrowing or choking out the other plants, and oftentimes they even stink.
Weeds come in all variations, and they will creep into every crack and crevice if we aren't careful.
The prevention process can seem tedious, as you constantly have to be on your guard and have your Word spray--sorry, weed spray--ready at all times.
You see, weeds start out so small. They are easy to kill or uproot when they are just sprouts.
Once they are undeniably obvious, though, they are more of a pain in the back to remove, literally and figuratively.
The bigger they are in your life (I mean lawn, of course), the more complex they are and the longer they take to get rid of.
If they are allowed time to mature, dig deeper into your soul (ahem, I mean soil) and multiply, that's when their true colors show.
That's when they can't hide anymore, and it's generally then that you examine yourself--pardon, your yard--and are astonished at the atrocities that have taken over.
Now those ugly weeds are on display for the whole world--or at least anyone who comes over to your personal space.
The worst part of that is, no matter how you try to justify it, you know they are a reflection of your character, just like the rest of your home is.
The attitude on the inside is eventually going to emulate on the outside.
It's usually only then, when people start to notice, that we are convicted of the thorny stalks and eager, due to embarrassment, to clear them out.
Of course, weeds are inevitable; little seeds get sown and attempt to grow regardless how much you try to prevent them.
If you let these pests spread like a disease, corrupting your yard and growing to your knees, though, that's on you.
Yes, the rain comes and is partially to blame.
 |
| Actual pile of weeds from my own yard #guilty |
I mean, I love rain. If you didn't know that about me already then I doubt you know me at all.
Problem is, weeds also love rain. They love to be fed so they can flourish and distract from the overall quality of your home.
After a lovely blessing of a downpour, it is a given that weeds will show up uninvited in no time, just like trials, daily frustrations and mood-killers do in our everyday lives.
You've got to be prepared to handle them and show them who is boss.
Only you are the master of managing your weeds; they won't go away on their own.
Sure, others can help. However, it isn't their yard. They can't naturally care as much about it as you do.
And that, my friends, is my love-hate-but-mostly-hate relationship with weeds--both the physical and spiritual kinds. One thing is for sure, they give us callouses and grit when we pull them out.
I hope some of you caught the life applications in the not-so-subtle undertones. But if not, well, then at the very least you got some free gardening tips.
Got any weeding to do?Labels: allegory, analogy, character, Christianity, clean, corruption, garden, GodsWord, growth, hardwork, home, lessonslearned, life, maintenance, prevention, soil, spirituallyspeaking, weeds, wisdom, yard
