Weeds

I’ve often wondered who had the brilliant idea of putting in a slate walkway to the parsonage. While it is attractive, it requires constant maintenance. This is because the most fertile soil in all of Alamance County is found in the cracks between the slates, and the weeds spring up overnight. Seriously!

Recently I have found myself thanking God for the person who had the brilliant idea of putting in a slate walkway to the parsonage. Clearly that person understood stress and the need for activities that provide stress relief. That walkway is a gift from God!

When I find myself in the midst of a stressful phone conversation, I step outside and do some weeding while I talk. As I pull and tug at the weeds that seem to have a tenacious hold on the walkway, I find I am able to relax, push beyond the stressor, and get to the root of the matter. Difficult phone conversations are always better when I’m pulling weeds.

When I find myself wrestling with a challenging passage of scripture, I take a break and sit in the middle of the walkway digging my nails into the beautiful black soil that holds these weeds, prying the weeds out one at a time. And somehow God speaks as my nails get dirty and the walkway gets clean. And the scripture once again becomes holy.

Today at high noon in the 90-degree heat I found myself sitting on the hot slate pulling the weeds and then carefully putting the dirt that clung to the roots back into the cracks. Only minutes before, the incredible stress of ministry had me pulling my hair out. And then I remembered the weeds. It is always better to pull weeds.  It was too hot to be out there for long, but those few minutes in the blazing heat gave me some much needed perspective.

Much like weeds, stress is inevitable. Especially in fertile soil. God has created these perfect conditions for growth – rich soil, warm sunshine, plenty of rain. Of course the weeds are going to grow! But these conditions are also ideal for growing the things that are of God. A food ministry that is flourishing. A day care that will soon be filled with noisy, wonderful children. A church overflowing with incredible and faithful people. And with each weed pulled the stress melts away. And the beauty of this ministry is boldly revealed. And I thank God for the person who had the brilliant idea of putting in a slate walkway to the parsonage.