Every spring as soon as the weather is tolerable, my husband gets out the gardening tools from the back yard shed. It is gardening time! Time to pull up the weeds, till the soil and mulch the garden beds. Then it is time to prune the dead branches and shrubs before adding new annuals and even some perennials. I find this process both tedious and tiresome and I have to admit I am more of a spectator than an active participant. My husband, on the other hand, thoroughly enjoys his time in the garden. Having an artistic gifting, he loves and welcomes the opportunity to take part in shaping and encouraging new growth that brings visual beauty. It is almost like our garden is the canvas and he is Van Gogh!! But one thing we both look forward to is the end result. When the flowers bloom and the trees and shrubs produce new leaves, color appears and the harshness of winter completely disappears. Truly a time of renewal, rebirth and rejuvenation when our hope is restored in what was lost and what is to come. However, the gardening is not a one time event. At least once per week my husband can be found kneeling in our yard pulling the weeds that threaten to over take the garden and choke back it's growth and beauty. Our hearts also require regular "gardening". In fact, I believe we need to daily assess the soil of our hearts to not only ensure it's softness but also ensure weeds are not creeping in and destroying our fruitfulness. Life can be overwhelming and sometimes we do not even realize our hearts, when left unattended, can become full of weeds that can choke out our responsiveness to God and to each other. I also know that this is one time I personally cannot afford to be a spectator. I have to be an active participant in cultivating the soil of my heart and allowing God full access to pull any weeds out. So what kinds of weeds grow in the garden of our heart? Disappointment Pride Hurt Bitterness Selfishness Anger Anxiety Insecurity and the list goes on...... I realize when my heart is full of weeds, it becomes difficult to pray, to be in God's presence and to hear and respond to His voice. I have also noticed when I'm angry or resentful towards someone and I try to pray, I either find it difficult to pray or my prayers don't seem to go towards God. I'm sure you have noticed when you are angry and upset with your spouse without any move towards resolution, you find it difficult to let them into your heart and though you still love them, those weeds choke your affections. It is only when you allow God to pull those weeds can affection and love fully flourish again. God desires for us to bear much fruit in the garden of our heart. It takes time and hard work but a weed-free heart results in joy, peace, love, hope and great communion with God.
I have never seen or heard of anyone admiring an overgrown weed-filled garden but a well groomed and manicured one is always beauty to the eyes. Like wise, no one wants to be around us when the soil of our heart is hard and full of weeds. Oh how we attract others to us when our heart is soft, weed free and fruit filled. When we continually till the soil of our heart garden and fill it with good seed - the word of God, and when we surrender to the strong, yet gentle hands of our Heavenly Father, allowing Him to pull the weeds, then and only then can we be fruitful. Proverbs 4:23 NIV "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." Original pics from pixabay.com
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