I think part of chasing authenticity and truth occasionally has to delve into the cheesy and cliche sometimes. I’m a geek and love a good life analogy and I’m pretty sure almost every writer has used this one before.
Recently I realized that the only thing really in full bloom in my yard was a lovely crop of weeds in my flower bed and yard.
You see, I love the poetry of hands dug deep in earth, fingers filtering through, the opportunities to play God, growing life from dirt and clay. The reality is that I don’t like dirty fingernails and gloves make my hands feel ineffective and large. I want to have a green thumb but likely won’t unless some latent gene kicks in later in life and pulling weeds has to be one of my least favorite chores.
I’ve walked by the weeds almost every day and turned my head, the frustration about them flaring up for a minute before I look away to ignore them another day. I’ve tried to pass off the responsibility, asking the boys to weed and even mumbled under my breath in a hint to my husband, a fellow-yard hater.
The weeds are still there. My flower garden and yard are so pretty and the weeds just detract from it.
and it struck me- so much of this is like my life. I really do have a good life and we are at such a good place- part of me just wants to sit back and just have peace for a minute, relaxing.
But God is politely tapping on my shoulder, commenting, “nice yard.”
To which I reply a little smugly, “I know, I’ve been working really hard.”
Eyebrows arched he responds, “You know, you have a great start, but there are an awful lot of weeds yet.”
and suddenly I see that although the overall picture is good, organizationally laid out well and with all the right plants, surrounded by all of it are still huge areas that need improvement.
Even when I pull a weed, unless I get the roots out too it will re-grow. Even if I clear one area, it’s likely that when I’m focusing on another area that more will bloom.
and I wondered, what are the areas that I’m just letting life happen to me passively? The areas that weeds are springing up as I look elsewhere?