This time of year is especially satisfying to anyone who loves to dig in the garden.  New life is sprouting up all over.  Everything is fresh and unblemished by sun, wind, frost or rain.  Each plant has a second chance.  I am one of those who love to dig in the dirt.  It must go back to my days of making mud pies for the dog.  There’s something about getting your hands dirty and getting a grip on those nasty weeds which are already sprouting beside the healthy plants.

It always amazes me how deep the roots of those weeds bury themselves into the ground and eventually take over.  It feels good to pull one of them out and know that you’ve got the entire root.  Unfortunately they always come back.  There may be just a bit left of that root, but it hangs tightly to the soil and doesn’t give up.

I think that weeds must be like sin.  It works its way into our hearts and squeezes out all the good that God intended for our lives.  The devil and his minions take hold and choke and tug at our daily walk with God.  They hang on to us even though we have been forgiven and the seed invades our souls.  A garden that once was perfect has now become an ugly landfill.

Thankfully our Creator sent the perfect vine, Jesus, to crush Satan and create a new paradise for us in heaven.  We have the assurance that we will once more walk in that beautiful garden He has waiting for us beyond this veil of tears. 

Lord, I know that while I still struggle here on earth and am attacked by all sorts of temptation, you are the Master Gardener.  You have pruned all the dead parts of me; whittled out the weeds that infect me; given me new life; made me beautiful again.  Thank you for caring so much about your creation to tend to it constantly.  Thank you for giving me a second chance every day. I look forward to being in that perfect garden which you have prepared for me and all believers.

John 15:5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.