Lessons learned in yardwork . . .

A beautiful sunny day ... it was not too humid yet so went out to work on a few things - weeding, trimming bushes. So here are the three thoughts that were revealed to me as I worked and allowed the Holy Spirit to speak - to teach and guide and to remind me just like He came to do. . . it helps that I had my "listening ears" on as we so often tell our children or as adults would say "I was tuned into" Him.

First, weeds come up easier when soil is wet. There was a whole patch of them and it just looked ugly! I hadn't looked in this spot in awhile. Not long ago there were a few, but now - boy, was it overrun! The weeds weren't coming up at all, unless they had shallow roots. They needed to be watered, to let the water seep down into the soil and loosen the roots. And isn't that what the Lord does with us when He shines the spotlight (His water) on an area of your life or heart and allows time for the soil to get ready for the roots to be pulled up. He doesn't just yank them out. That's what I try to do and why things don't disappear from my life - I think I've dealt with them - but the root is still there and so it grows back. Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble [you], and thereby many be defiled. Hebrews 12:15

The second example came as I was cleaning up the entry to house. Our family uses the back door because it is a shorter walk from where the car gets parked, but guests use the front. There is a beautiful hibiscus plant taken over the entryway. It has blossomed like crazy, but it needed to be pruned. And come to think of it, that was what caused it to go crazy - I thought I was cutting it back, but I was preparing it to GROW! The Lord's pruning so often comes through trials in our lives. John 15:2 says He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.

Lastly, an amazing banana spider lives on this hibiscus bush. As I was pruning, I cut the branch that held up his web, his home. How often do I do this to others - things I say or do that seem so insignificant to me can have a major effect on others. I could taken a minute to think where to trim the branch so this banana spider's web didn't collapse. In the same way, by obeying the prompting of the Holy Spirit I can prevent someone else's web (their framework - their view of a life that follows Christ) from collapse. This goes with what we have been learning in the Bait of Satan by John Bevere about not causing offense/stumbling block in other lives even if there is something that is okay for you. Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. 1 Corinthians 8:9 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way. Romans 14:3

Just a few thoughts as I was outside the other morning working in the yard...