My 3 year old came out to the garden this morning while I was weeding. Like most 3 year olds, he is very curious. He wanted to know what I was doing. I told him I was weeding the garden, explaining that I have to remove the weeds for the plants to grow big and strong. “Big” and “Strong” Oh, how he loves these words.

As I start a thinking about what I am doing and why, God started working on my heart. I’m cleaning out the weeds to protect the plant, just like God does in our relationship with Him. If I keep the weeds out, my relationship with God will grow and more importantly be fruitful. However, If I don’t keep the weeds out, the plant will be choked out by the weeds not produce.

Then my thoughts went a little deeper…In my garden there are different types of weeds. Most of what I was removing was pretty easy. They were just on the surface, it took little effort and little time to remove it. However, there were also deep weeds, the ones I had to use tools. I had to dig deep and I had to be very careful that the roots of the weed were not wrapped around the plants roots.

I realized this is not unlike the “weeds” in our lives, some are little and easy to remove. It does require effort but as long as you get them out before they grow deep roots, you can do it. Then there are the weeds that are deep, either because I didn’t tend to them when I should have or they are just faster growing. Those require me to use tools. In the case of my garden,  I have to get down on my knees, use my tools and remove the weed while being careful not to damage the plant I’m trying to help.

Not unlike, taking care of my relationship with God. In order for my relationship to  produce good fruits I have to use my tools of prayer (getting on my knees) and use my physical tools (God’s Word).

What weeds are you facing today? Are they on the surface and you just need to take a little time to remove them? Do you need to head the shed (your prayer room) and get the tools out? The small weeds will get bigger, deeper and choke out our relationship with our Lord if we are not careful. The big weeds are already effecting our growth.

Lord, as we come before you. Please forgive us our sins. We are so thankful there is grace in Word and in your arms. Help us to see clearly anything we need to remove and then Lord give us the strength, endurance and patience to take care of our relationship with you, so that it may be fruitful. Your promises are clear, we just need to do the work you have called us to complete.

Ephesians 4:1