Getting Rid of the Weeds!!

Sitting still is not easy for me…especially when there are other things that I feel I should be doing!!!

However, I was really trying to sit and relax this past weekend…

My foot was up…elevated and had ice on it!

It was a beautiful day…and I was thoroughly enjoying sitting out by the pool!

I actually stayed in the position for several hours…allowing myself to dip into the refreshing water to cool off before sitting back down and propping my foot back up!

However, as I looked around the yard…I noticed how desperately certain areas needed weeded!

Scooting my chair over to an area that needed my attention, I bent over and pulled a few weeds!

As the annoying weeds easily pulled from the ground, I was encouraged that I could tackle this project!

After pulling a few more weeds, I decided that I could lower myself to the ground…and give the neglected area my full attention!

All I had to do was scoot along, making it possible to tackle the unkempt grounds!

I was so encouraged by my progress that I decided I would get up early the next morning while it was cool outside and tackle some neglected areas in the front yard.

To be honest…the next morning the task before me looked a little overwhelming...especially while wearing my “cute” shoe and trying to stay off my foot!

Slowly, I made progress!

As I was pulling weeds, I noticed this one particular weed that was like a vine…wrapping itself around everything…clinging to whatever was in its path!

It was everywhere!

These persistent vines sprawled across the ground…weaving in and out…wrapping their tendrils around other plants.

And when pulled…it was as though those vines were hanging on…not wanting to let go of what was in their clutches!

As I continued to pull vine after vine…I thought that is how sin is!

When we allow it to come into our lives…it pulls us down…not wanting to let go of us!

It’s persistent and relentless!

Proverbs 5:22 states…”The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare them; the cords of their sins hold them fast.”

As I was pulling this vine-like week…it held fast to what it was wrapped around.

Sin does the same thing…wrapping its tendrils around our hearts…desiring to hold fast and not let go!

And the longer an area is neglected…greater is the opportunity for that relentless vine…that sin…to spread and take over.

As I tended the neglected yard…pulling unwanted weeds…I realized how important it is for me to tend to any sin that tries creep into my life before it spreads and gets completely out of control.

I continue to work and think about this for quite some time…

However, when I finally turned and looked back at the areas that had been weeded I was encouraged…actually I was thrilled with the clean beds…excited with the progress I had 

made!

I desire to see that same type of progress in my own life!

So it is important for me to guard my heart…immediately tending to any sin that I let creep into my life …by confessing it to the Lord…repenting…and asking God to help me live my life in a wat that is pleasing to him!

Just as I am looking forward to planting beautiful new flowers and plants in those clean beds…I also desire to have only good seeds sown into my heart…keeping my heart just as beautiful!

And now that my weeding is done…it’s on to the next project!!

Dear Heavenly Father…thank you for helping us to take care of the “weeds” in our own lives.  How I pray that we will not neglect those areas, but tackle them immediately before it spreads and holds us down!  Help us to keep our hearts pure before you, Lord!