Wednesday I got up at 7:30 a.m. (early for me) and got ready to leave for Georgia. Jim came back with a blue Corolla, we packed up and headed south. Around noon we stopped in Ringgold to see the damage from the April tornado that hit--a lot of damage and 9 lives lost.
One stop we made later made me laugh--Biscuits, Bait and BBQ and Tasty Tenders. Now, I love homemade biscuits and enjoy a good bbq, but with bait? I don’t think so.
On the road to Amicalola Falls we ran in to a little rain. We stopped at an Apple Farm for a few peaches and nectarines, along with a couple of delicious apple fritters and the rain poured down.
We arrived at the park around 4, picked up some maps at the Visitor Center and checked in to our room at the lodge. We found a spot close by for a picnic and ate a late lunch.
We decided we’d drive over to Dahlonega, a cute little gold mining town, to look for souvenirs to take back to California. Well, we arrived about 10 minutes before the town closed down, except for the fudge shop and the pizzaria. We picked up some fudge and hot out of the oven garlic rolls drenched in garlic butter.
We headed back to the lodge and Cory and I took a short walk around the loop trail. We watched a little TV then headed to bed.
What is it about nature that is so soothing, so healing, so serene? I love being out in nature, creation. I’m not an avid hiker--though I enjoy hiking. Not much of a camper, but I could be. But still, I love the mountains. I also love the ocean and even enjoy spending time in the flower beds.
It has been terrific seeing mountain ranges that I’ve never seen. I had been to the Rockies and Sierras but now I’ve seen the Smokey Mountains and the Blue Ridge Mountains. I’ve walked on the old Natchez Trace and the approach trail to the Appalachian Trail, and I’ve been extremely close to the Trail of Tears.
For the next 2 days, I’ll be at the Amicalola Falls. I love it here. The view of the Blue Ridge Mountains is covered with a foggy mist. It does give it a bit of a blue haze.
The last time we were here was last October, when fall colors of orange, yellow and red covered the mountains. Now that it’s summer, the trees are green. It’s such a peaceful place. The back porch area is lined with big wooden rockers looking out over the mountains.
Tomorrow we’ll do some hiking on a few trails and enjoy the falls.
Thursday: We woke up this morning with a view of fog, lined with trees. We went down for our breakfast and now Cory and I are sitting on the porch waiting for the skies to clear. It is so nice out. Not too hot or humid yet. We plan to go hiking once we let our food to digest. Later we may go back to Dahlonega and to Helen, a little German town. Jim prefers staying in the room watching TV it seems.
It would be nice if there were bird feeders out on the deck to see more birds of the area. I haven’t seen too many, but did see a couple of squirrels and a deer and two ducks. On our hikes today, I saw a striped lizard, a few bullfrogs croaking loudly, bullfrog tadpoles and a trout being caught.
We went to Dahlonega again. Didn’t find much at the general store but got two glass creamers at the antique mall for $3 and a Disney Chevron car for $7. 2 kids sit in the car with Mickey Mouse ears.
Next we headed to Helen. It was quite hot and humid. We found a picnic table by the river to have a picnic lunch. There were lots of people in the water, tubing down the river, in bright pink and neon green inner tubes. We had seen a group earlier that take off from one destination and a bus picks them up at the end. Little kids--teens--adults--a grandma--some tied together--some singles--some with a stick to push off the rocks.
One little girl got out of her tube after losing her stick. Her friend wouldn’t stop--they were lashed together. She was running down the river trying to catch her inner tube. Fortunately for her, she had on sandals.
We walked around town--similar to Solvang--but German instead of Danish. We stepped into a few shops just to beat the heat and of course we couldn’t leave without a funnel cake to share. Since we never know when the fair is and we couldn’t make it to Paso’s fair, we got our grease saturated treat and went back to the lodge. Well, first we got lost. We took the wrong turn but we ended up finding something to eat for dinner.
We had decided we were too tired to go to the outlet mall or to get anything to eat because we were still full from the funnel cake. But Jim discovered we were going the wrong way back so we stopped for take out before getting back to our room. It’s not always easy to figure out the signs we’re supposed to be following. We ate our dinner out on the back porch of the lodge and then Cory and I just sat and rocked. It was pretty crowded out but still pretty quiet.
Friday: We got up and had breakfast at 9. Each morning we had 2 free breakfast buffets. The first morning, the waitress only charged Cory the child’s price, then this morning, the waitress gave us another free meal because of a wait. After breakfast, we went on the fitness trail--a mile walk through the woods.
Cory and I then sat on the back porch for awhile. It was just so nice, quiet, peaceful with the fog lifting, vultures and hawks soaring overhead. Cory and I enjoy listening to the quiet.
Just before check out, we packed up and headed to the top of the falls for a few pictures. We then drove down to the approach trail to the approach trail to the Appalachian Trail. Now that first approach trail is about a mile up and down the side of the mountain. I would love to walk the second approach trail and actually set foot on the Appalachian Trail. However, 8 miles in and turn around and walk the 8 miles back, and not knowing how strenuous, and getting a permit--well, we didn’t try it.
After our hike, we stopped off at the nature center for one last look then took off. We had to stop off at the Apple Farm to get more peaches in Ellijay. They’re delicious and I’m hoping mom will want to make a peach cobbler. We also got more of those apple fritters and a few other goodies.
Well, I really didn’t want to leave. I love the mountains. Actually, I prefer the mountains to the beach. I do miss the ocean though, now that I’ve lived in a landlocked state for 4 years and haven’t seen the ocean for at least 3 years. So, yes, I’m looking forward to my next trip--California Here I Come.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Saturday, August 6, 2011
No Longer a Slumdog
A few weeks ago I ordered my free copy of No Longer a Slumdog by K. P. Yohannan. Some of you may know that Mr. Yohannan is the founder and international director of Gospel for Asia which brings hope to the people of India. The book is filled with stories of children rescued from dark situations and brought into one of the Bridge of Hope centers in their community. Here they learn that they are special in the eyes of the Lord. The children are given an education, basic necessities and health care. The community benefits as well with health education, vocational training and literacy classes. It is a program that we can get involved with by sponsoring a child for $28 per month.
There are 50 million child laborers in India alone and 1.2 million children are trafficked as slaves and prostitutes each year. In Matthew 18:10, Jesus said, “See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven continually see the face of My Father who is in heaven.” The dictionary states the word “despise” means “to regard as unworthy of one’s interest or concern.” Jesus sees, He cares, and He feels the pain of these children.
Calcutta alone is home to more than 100,000 street children. They are left to fend for themselves.
In India, there are 11 million children who have been abandoned, and 90% of them are girls. Three million of these end up living on the streets. (Operation World)
According to UNICEF, more than 1 billion children around the world are deprived of one or more of these essentials: adequate shelter, food, safe water, sanitation, health care or education.
Some of the most disturbing information that I learned from this book was about the Dalit’s or Untouchables. I’ve heard them mentioned before but this gave me a closer look. Dalit literally means “broken,” “crushed” or “oppressed.” They are the lowest rung of the ladder in Hindu society. They are considered to be polluted or unclean. If they touch someone of a higher caste, the upper caste would supposedly become contaminated. How sad to be thought of in this way.
Psalm 10:17-18 says “You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them and you listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed, in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more.”
For more information about Gospel for Asia, go to www.gfa.org.
There are 50 million child laborers in India alone and 1.2 million children are trafficked as slaves and prostitutes each year. In Matthew 18:10, Jesus said, “See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven continually see the face of My Father who is in heaven.” The dictionary states the word “despise” means “to regard as unworthy of one’s interest or concern.” Jesus sees, He cares, and He feels the pain of these children.
Calcutta alone is home to more than 100,000 street children. They are left to fend for themselves.
In India, there are 11 million children who have been abandoned, and 90% of them are girls. Three million of these end up living on the streets. (Operation World)
According to UNICEF, more than 1 billion children around the world are deprived of one or more of these essentials: adequate shelter, food, safe water, sanitation, health care or education.
Some of the most disturbing information that I learned from this book was about the Dalit’s or Untouchables. I’ve heard them mentioned before but this gave me a closer look. Dalit literally means “broken,” “crushed” or “oppressed.” They are the lowest rung of the ladder in Hindu society. They are considered to be polluted or unclean. If they touch someone of a higher caste, the upper caste would supposedly become contaminated. How sad to be thought of in this way.
Psalm 10:17-18 says “You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them and you listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed, in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more.”
For more information about Gospel for Asia, go to www.gfa.org.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Control or Out of Control
Control--it doesn’t have to be cutting to make us hurt. There can be physical pain of course, but there is also heartache, emotional pain. Voices--or noises--in our head sometimes won’t go away. I’ve had times with no peace in my head. There were many nights I couldn’t sleep. No peace. And I know the biggest peace giver--He gives peace like no one can. But peace was nonexistent.
I’m listening to the song “Control” by JJ Heller and it brings back memories. Me, I’ve come a long way but many nights I needed something to take the place of those “noises” swarming around up there. Music or videos on the ipod had to put me to sleep.
Sleep doesn’t/didn’t often come til 2 or 3 in the morning. I could have spent those hours praying but I was too restless--I couldn’t focus--I couldn’t think. It’s been slowly getting better. Sleep comes easier now.
During that time, I found a church where I felt safe and could heal. The worship was what I needed. The messages touched my heart once again.
“Beauty Will Rise” (Steven Curtis Chapman) from the ashes in the troubles and trials we may go through. “We know joy is coming in the morning....So take another breath for now and let the tears come washing down-and if you can’t believe, I’ll believe for you cause I have seen the signs of spring.”
(“Heaven is the Face” Stephen Curtis Chapman)
“God, you know, I just can’t SEE beyond the door,
But in my minds eye I can SEE a place where your glory fills every empty space.
All the cancer is gone
Every mouth is fed
And there’s no one left in the orphan’s bed
And no more not enough
And there’s no more enemy.”
I love that--every mouth is fed, no one left in the orphans bed. Jesus does care for these little ones, the least of these. He will one day ease their pain. He will one day hold them in His arms. Until then, what are we waiting for? He has given us a job to do. It’s amazing to see others take these little ones into their arms, hearts and homes and give them a safe place to live. A home. Blessed are those who are parents, grandparents, foster parents, adoptive parents, those who serve in orphanages, in the slums of Kibera or in the dumps of Ecuador.
I love that the cancer will be gone. I lost a brother and father to cancer. I’ve had cancer. My sister has had cancer. It’s a scary thing so we put our hope in Jesus. He is the Healer. He is the Great Physician.
I was on the border of belief and unbelief. I knew in my head I needed to believe but I chose to begin wondering why. And I hear a song that helps me see truth again.
(“I Will Trust You” SCC)
“...And I will trust you, even though I don’t understand,
even then I will say again you are my God
And I will trust you
“Jesus Will Meet You There” because “Spring Is Coming”.
When I first listened to Steven Curtis Chapman’s CD, “Beauty Will Rise”, I cried. I cried through every song. I had also just read, MaryBeth Chapman’s book, Choosing To See. That also helped to put the songs into perspective. This was his first record since his daughter Maria went to heaven. I can’t even begin to feel his pain, or that of his family. But as I listened again yesterday, on the way to the mountains, without tears I might add, the songs spoke another story for me. I’m thankful for music--how it speaks to me personally--how it related on different levels to what I may be going through or a friend or loved one.
That was just “On My Mind”.
I’m listening to the song “Control” by JJ Heller and it brings back memories. Me, I’ve come a long way but many nights I needed something to take the place of those “noises” swarming around up there. Music or videos on the ipod had to put me to sleep.
Sleep doesn’t/didn’t often come til 2 or 3 in the morning. I could have spent those hours praying but I was too restless--I couldn’t focus--I couldn’t think. It’s been slowly getting better. Sleep comes easier now.
During that time, I found a church where I felt safe and could heal. The worship was what I needed. The messages touched my heart once again.
“Beauty Will Rise” (Steven Curtis Chapman) from the ashes in the troubles and trials we may go through. “We know joy is coming in the morning....So take another breath for now and let the tears come washing down-and if you can’t believe, I’ll believe for you cause I have seen the signs of spring.”
(“Heaven is the Face” Stephen Curtis Chapman)
“God, you know, I just can’t SEE beyond the door,
But in my minds eye I can SEE a place where your glory fills every empty space.
All the cancer is gone
Every mouth is fed
And there’s no one left in the orphan’s bed
And no more not enough
And there’s no more enemy.”
I love that--every mouth is fed, no one left in the orphans bed. Jesus does care for these little ones, the least of these. He will one day ease their pain. He will one day hold them in His arms. Until then, what are we waiting for? He has given us a job to do. It’s amazing to see others take these little ones into their arms, hearts and homes and give them a safe place to live. A home. Blessed are those who are parents, grandparents, foster parents, adoptive parents, those who serve in orphanages, in the slums of Kibera or in the dumps of Ecuador.
I love that the cancer will be gone. I lost a brother and father to cancer. I’ve had cancer. My sister has had cancer. It’s a scary thing so we put our hope in Jesus. He is the Healer. He is the Great Physician.
I was on the border of belief and unbelief. I knew in my head I needed to believe but I chose to begin wondering why. And I hear a song that helps me see truth again.
(“I Will Trust You” SCC)
“...And I will trust you, even though I don’t understand,
even then I will say again you are my God
And I will trust you
“Jesus Will Meet You There” because “Spring Is Coming”.
When I first listened to Steven Curtis Chapman’s CD, “Beauty Will Rise”, I cried. I cried through every song. I had also just read, MaryBeth Chapman’s book, Choosing To See. That also helped to put the songs into perspective. This was his first record since his daughter Maria went to heaven. I can’t even begin to feel his pain, or that of his family. But as I listened again yesterday, on the way to the mountains, without tears I might add, the songs spoke another story for me. I’m thankful for music--how it speaks to me personally--how it related on different levels to what I may be going through or a friend or loved one.
That was just “On My Mind”.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Who's Your Neighbor?
God tells us in John 13:34 to love one another. That may be easy with family and friends. But when we are asked to widen the circle of our loving relationships to strangers in our community or around the world, it may become a challenge. We may ask:
Who is my neighbor?
What does loving them look like?
How do I respond?
If we are to be disciples of Jesus, we must love one another as God loved us. Not only love, but love as Jesus loves us.
People all around us are “our neighbors”, not just the ones that live next door to us. God has commanded us to love our neighbors. Someone in the Middle East suffering from war-induced hunger, needs to be fed. A homeless person asking for money may enjoy a good meal, a shower and a bed. A young boy in Tanzania is denied the opportunity to attend school because he can’t afford the mandatory uniform or school supplies. Perhaps I could provide that uniform and send needed supplies. Many women in developing nations walk miles each day to bring even dirty water to their families. I could raise money for a well or donate to a project of this sort. Two million children a year are forced into labor or prostitution to earn income. Young people like Zach Hunter, a young abolitionist, are freeing slaves by going without a fast food meal for instance. Two thousand children die each day from malaria, which has been eradicated in North America and Europe. So why hasn’t the problem been solved in the rest of the world? Doesn’t anyone care about these children? Governments need to step up and help their people. We can provide mosquito nets for a family for less than $10 which will help save lives. Women and children fleeing domestic violence and living in shelters or on the streets may not have health care. Again, governments and NGO’s need to continue working on this problem. Provide health care for less and provide health clinics in more villages, like Victor and his NGO are doing in Madagascar--training the people to dispense medicine and build small clinics to provide health care. If nothing else, I should be able to advocate for each of these causes. Let others become aware of the plight around the world. I could also do some fundraising and I could go.
Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has annointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed,
What leaves a deep impression on you about Jesus’ life and ministry on earth?
Who is my neighbor?
What does loving them look like?
How do I respond?
If we are to be disciples of Jesus, we must love one another as God loved us. Not only love, but love as Jesus loves us.
People all around us are “our neighbors”, not just the ones that live next door to us. God has commanded us to love our neighbors. Someone in the Middle East suffering from war-induced hunger, needs to be fed. A homeless person asking for money may enjoy a good meal, a shower and a bed. A young boy in Tanzania is denied the opportunity to attend school because he can’t afford the mandatory uniform or school supplies. Perhaps I could provide that uniform and send needed supplies. Many women in developing nations walk miles each day to bring even dirty water to their families. I could raise money for a well or donate to a project of this sort. Two million children a year are forced into labor or prostitution to earn income. Young people like Zach Hunter, a young abolitionist, are freeing slaves by going without a fast food meal for instance. Two thousand children die each day from malaria, which has been eradicated in North America and Europe. So why hasn’t the problem been solved in the rest of the world? Doesn’t anyone care about these children? Governments need to step up and help their people. We can provide mosquito nets for a family for less than $10 which will help save lives. Women and children fleeing domestic violence and living in shelters or on the streets may not have health care. Again, governments and NGO’s need to continue working on this problem. Provide health care for less and provide health clinics in more villages, like Victor and his NGO are doing in Madagascar--training the people to dispense medicine and build small clinics to provide health care. If nothing else, I should be able to advocate for each of these causes. Let others become aware of the plight around the world. I could also do some fundraising and I could go.
Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has annointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed,
What leaves a deep impression on you about Jesus’ life and ministry on earth?
Thoughts on "Precious in His Sight"
There are over 2 billion children in the world. Half of them live in poverty, living off of less than $1.00 a day. 10,198 children will die from hunger today. Each child was created by God and no matter where they live or what their circumstance, they should be free to be all God intended them to be. They live in their own part of the world and God loves each and every one of them. We have been blessed to be a blessing to these children. How can we help? The numbers are too many. 100 million children have no access to an education--60 million of those children are girls. There are things we can do to help. We can pray for these precious little ones. We can advocate on their behalf--telling others what needs to be told even though, often times, no one wants to hear. We can go to the least of these, care for them, bless them, provide for them, teach them. It hurts knowing there are so many children in desperate situations around the world and even in our own country.
We need to meet their needs both spiritually and physically--simultaneously--they go hand in hand. These children have real lives, real hopes and real dreams. What am I going to do to help meet those needs and help make those dreams come true?
We need to meet their needs both spiritually and physically--simultaneously--they go hand in hand. These children have real lives, real hopes and real dreams. What am I going to do to help meet those needs and help make those dreams come true?
Friday, June 3, 2011
Re-evaluating!
Life has no guarantees! We need to live life to its fullest while we can. This rings so true to me this week when I heard some devastating news from a friend. I do believe our lives are in God’s hands. He knows the end of our story. However, what can we do to live our lives in a way that is pleasing to the Lord, and one with meaning?
This week I received an email for World Vision ACT:S summer bucket list. Though this group is geared towards college students, I began advocating with them a couple of years ago. They list ideas to get involved in a cause or issue that you are passionate about. One of the suggestions is to make your own “bucket list”. You’ve seen that going around, things you want to do or accomplish in your lifetime. Well, I never thought of doing that before, making a list that is, but maybe I will. It’s interesting that I got this news and bucket list on the same day. Or is it?
For the past few months I’ve been re-evaluating my life. Why? Well, for the past four years (the time we’ve been living in Tennessee), I feel like I’ve wasted a lot of time. I haven’t been doing any ministry except for a couple of small projects. I’ve tried to get involved with homeschoolers, to no avail. So, I’ve wondered, “Why am I even here?”.
Since reading and studying David Platt’s book, Radical, and participating in World Vision’s ACT:S ReLentless during April, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking. Thinking about what? Thinking about what I’m doing versus what I should be doing with my life.
I don’t believe that I was put on this earth to sit idly by while thousands of children die each day due to preventable diseases and millions are going to spend eternity in hell because they have never heard about Jesus.
If God didn’t care about orphans, widows, the poor and needy, and the oppressed, why did He bother putting around 2,000 verses in the Bible on those topics? Why should we care? Why should I care? Because God does!
So what will I do with what I’ve heard, learned, read, studied? Well, I believe I should go to God in prayer and ask Him what I can be doing, what I should be doing.
I keep thinking back to a time when I wondered about the children in developing nations who don’t have the opportunity for an education--perhaps they can’t pay for school fees, can’t buy a uniform, books or even a pair of shoes. Perhaps, they must work, or beg, to eat each day. Maybe they are caring for their siblings while parents work. Then, there is a chance that some of these children don’t have parents so they become the parent and must forgo school. Why do they have so little and we have so much? Could it be that God blessed us so that we could bless others? This is still an interest of mine and has been for several years.
Father, help me to be a blessing to someone.
This week I received an email for World Vision ACT:S summer bucket list. Though this group is geared towards college students, I began advocating with them a couple of years ago. They list ideas to get involved in a cause or issue that you are passionate about. One of the suggestions is to make your own “bucket list”. You’ve seen that going around, things you want to do or accomplish in your lifetime. Well, I never thought of doing that before, making a list that is, but maybe I will. It’s interesting that I got this news and bucket list on the same day. Or is it?
For the past few months I’ve been re-evaluating my life. Why? Well, for the past four years (the time we’ve been living in Tennessee), I feel like I’ve wasted a lot of time. I haven’t been doing any ministry except for a couple of small projects. I’ve tried to get involved with homeschoolers, to no avail. So, I’ve wondered, “Why am I even here?”.
Since reading and studying David Platt’s book, Radical, and participating in World Vision’s ACT:S ReLentless during April, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking. Thinking about what? Thinking about what I’m doing versus what I should be doing with my life.
I don’t believe that I was put on this earth to sit idly by while thousands of children die each day due to preventable diseases and millions are going to spend eternity in hell because they have never heard about Jesus.
If God didn’t care about orphans, widows, the poor and needy, and the oppressed, why did He bother putting around 2,000 verses in the Bible on those topics? Why should we care? Why should I care? Because God does!
So what will I do with what I’ve heard, learned, read, studied? Well, I believe I should go to God in prayer and ask Him what I can be doing, what I should be doing.
I keep thinking back to a time when I wondered about the children in developing nations who don’t have the opportunity for an education--perhaps they can’t pay for school fees, can’t buy a uniform, books or even a pair of shoes. Perhaps, they must work, or beg, to eat each day. Maybe they are caring for their siblings while parents work. Then, there is a chance that some of these children don’t have parents so they become the parent and must forgo school. Why do they have so little and we have so much? Could it be that God blessed us so that we could bless others? This is still an interest of mine and has been for several years.
Father, help me to be a blessing to someone.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Gardening Brings Peace
I must say I love to work in the garden. Actually, I don’t have much of one but I do consider my flower beds garden also. I’ve often gone out to pull weeds and dig in the dirt when I’m sad, or angry, frustrated or depressed. It just seems to make me feel better. Yesterday I went out to work the beds because I was a little sad. My yard has the worse case of weed infestation and “devil” grass. I’ll explain later. It’s quite disturbing since the neighbor to the right of me has a lush, thick carpet of green surrounding his house. The yard across the street is similar and down on the corner as well. I love green. I love walking barefoot in soft, thick, grass. However, the landlord didn’t have the same idea. The tradition in the south for laying grass seed, is to put a layer of straw/hay over the top. Maybe that’s like a mulch, to keep the moisture in. However, I’m thinking, where is this straw/hay coming from? From a field someplace that contains weeds? That’s what I’m thinking. Plus, there are a couple of other reasons why I feel I have weeds. Anyway, as I was removing weeds from my flower beds, and trying to remove the “devil grass” (aka Bermuda grass) I began thinking about allegories.
I see the weeds in the yard as sins in our lives or trials we face. They become a pain and left unattended their roots dig deep into the ground (and into our lives). The Bermuda grass is that noxious grass that grows out further and further, laying down roots as it grows. It reminds me of Satan, slithering around attacking us. Each root it lays down is another jab or fiery dart trying to bring us down. So I get a little aggressive when trying to remove this grass from my beds, trying to devour the beautiful flowers and bushes, trying to strangle their beauty. It’s tiring work, and when there is too much it may take days to remove, but it looks so much nicer when finished. God is the Master Gardener. He created all of the beauty of springtime. Yes, he even created the weeds and Bermuda grass. He makes everything good. He’s also our Master Gardener, that is, if we let him. He created us, tends us, prunes us, lovingly speaks to us and wants to keep the fiery darts (or weeds) from choking us. He loves us that much--more than we might love our gardens.
I see the weeds in the yard as sins in our lives or trials we face. They become a pain and left unattended their roots dig deep into the ground (and into our lives). The Bermuda grass is that noxious grass that grows out further and further, laying down roots as it grows. It reminds me of Satan, slithering around attacking us. Each root it lays down is another jab or fiery dart trying to bring us down. So I get a little aggressive when trying to remove this grass from my beds, trying to devour the beautiful flowers and bushes, trying to strangle their beauty. It’s tiring work, and when there is too much it may take days to remove, but it looks so much nicer when finished. God is the Master Gardener. He created all of the beauty of springtime. Yes, he even created the weeds and Bermuda grass. He makes everything good. He’s also our Master Gardener, that is, if we let him. He created us, tends us, prunes us, lovingly speaks to us and wants to keep the fiery darts (or weeds) from choking us. He loves us that much--more than we might love our gardens.
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