This little “weed” (definition: a wild plant growing where it is not wanted) growing in the cracks of our garden path is a sweet reminder of a powerful lesson I’ve learned as a metaphor of life. When my husband and I began to work on the neglected yard we inherited with the home we purchased a few years ago, I had great plans for our little Eden near the Washington coast. We knew it would involve a lot of TLC, a little creativity and a ton of blood, sweat and tears (the blood and tears have been unashamedly mine) but little did I know that our overgrown, neglected yard would also serve as God’s classroom for teaching me a valuable life lesson.
Six years ago when we bought this house and inherited yard, the picture that formed in my head of my “dream garden” was similar to a Sunset Magazine English garden by the sea. The reality of what we’ve faced in the wild and overgrown landscape has been nothing short of humbling and frustrating. Just when we think we have figured out the solution for one problem, another one pops up. Just when we have pulled the final weed of the season, the next day it seemed there are 100’s more in it’s place.
Yet, every time I spot one of these little English Daisies I’m reminded what I’ve learned, as I grasp hold of God and walk the path He has before me. My recent lesson was taught on a literal winding slate path my husband laid as he set out to plant the dream garden which includes lavender for bees in the back of our property.
Every year since my husband lovingly and expertly laid those stones, I’ve walked the path to the lavender to tackle the new weeds taking root there. Last Spring as I began my annual trek down that path, I noticed a little weed taking root and growing from the tiny cracks between the stones. But my focus was on other weeds (my bigger problems) that were sprouting in the lavender at a rate I could not keep up with. So I remember stepping over that little sprout knowing I would need to pull it soon. Thankfully, God had another plan.
Days passed and I was busy with work, but my mind obsessively wandered, wondering what unwelcome nuisances were taking over in the lavender. It was midweek, the weather was dry and I knew I had several hours to commit to the garden later that day. So early Wednesday morning I made a plan which included pulling the last of the weeds in the lavender. As I sipped my morning coffee I got to think about those weeds and the yard and why I felt so discouraged in life. I felt like I was up to my knees in true weeds in the garden but also “weeds” of broken dreams, changed plans, job troubles and other grown up issues of life. So I did what I do when I can’t do anything else - I got quiet, I cleared my head and I spent time with Jesus. And it was in those moments that I confessed to the Lord that the emotional toll of constant problems and disappointments were wearing on my heart and my life felt just like my overgrown and unruly yard! After that confession, I did what I know Jesus would want me to do and I released every one of my worries and cares to Him. I released my disappointment and heavy heart too before thanking Him for loving me and caring about my heart. I do this to tell Jesus “I trust You and I know You use everything in my life for my good and Your glory, so please Lord, be glorified!”
I finished my work day and knew it was time to face the garden so I headed to the yard with bucket, gloves and hori hori knife in hand. As I stepped onto the path, I noticed the little weed between the stones but this time it took me by surprise. The weed was now more than double in size and it didn’t look like a weed anymore. What I hadn’t noticed prior to this day were the little buds growing from it’s center. The little buds that would grow from weed like leaves, that opened with sweet little white petals surrounding a glowing yellow center. With time, what I once thought needed to be pulled and discarded into the compost bin was actually making the garden path beautiful - in that moment I realized that God was ministering to my heavy heart as He revealed to me how very true this is in life as well.
So often my reality doesn’t line up with my dreams and I experience problems, setbacks and interruptions. But this little encounter with a weed reminded me that there can be great value in taking a step back and waiting. For me I was able to spend time with the One who created my dream and prepared the path for me to get there. As I released my cares to Jesus in prayer, I was able to see how the problems along my path began to look different. I saw the “problem” transformed. As I began to reflect on the adult issues I was facing, I began to see them for what they were- temporary setbacks at best. And for some of those issues I released to God, like my “dream garden” dream, I began to see how the “problem” much like the weed growing between stones, could become a part of life’s beauty!
So now when I encounter problems, setbacks and interruptions in life, I pray God reminds me of that little perfectly placed weed. Problems truly are opportunities to grow and God uses them along our life’s path to help us flourish. And in time, they can even transform us, just like He transformed that little weed into a touch of beauty on my path. Weeds just might become wonders, when we release them to God and wait!
“Give your worries to the Lord, and He will care for you. He will never let those who are good be defeated.” Psalm 55:22