What’s Wrong With This Picture?

James 1:15

Howdy ~

A few weeks ago, glancing out my window, I spotted something growing in one of my poolside flowerpots. I hadn’t planted anything there, but I didn’t think much of it. My curiosity piqued. I wondered what it would be so I decided to leave it alone; besides I didn’t really have time to fool with it. A few days later I noticed this “thing” getting bigger. It appeared to be some type of weed or maybe even a tree. The snarly thing looked long and branchy with defined edges. It was an obvious eye sore to the rest of the pretty flowers by the pool. It reminded me of the picture puzzles we saw when we were kids in the doctor’s office magazines that asked, “What’s wrong with this picture”. But it could wait. That pesky thing was the least of my worries.

A week or so passed and I noticed the blasted thing again. As I walked by, I nonchalantly grabbed it to pull it out, but quickly yanked my hand away. My mystery plant didn’t intend to go away quietly. Whatever this vegetation’s name, it included little baby thorns all up and down its stalk. I tried again this time being much more deliberate in where I placed my hand, but to no avail. I needed my gloves to get rid of this thing. Ah… I didn’t want to mess with it now. I’d take care of it later.

Every time I’d look out my window all I could see was this “thing” growing bigger. I’d have this nagging thought “You know you’ve got to get that out of there”. Every time I’d tell myself, “Ah yeah, I know. I don’t want to deal with it now. I’ll do it later.”

Finally I could not ignore the “thing” any longer. By now it grown as tall as the shrubs around it. Finally I grabbed hold of myself and said, “Doggone it Rebecca. Take care of it…right now! Take 5 minutes. Dig out your little garden gloves and pluck the crazy thing out!”

So I did…. or at least I tried. The initial little sprig had developed into a full-blown branch, and its roots had run deep into my pot. I tugged and grunted and tugged some more trying to loosen the plant’s grip on its illegally gained territory. No doubt I was a darling sight! I just kicked myself (interesting imagery, eh!) for not taking the 2 extra seconds that first day to grab my gloves and pull the little fiend out. Now instead of a quick fix, I needed garden tool reinforcements. After several minutes of wrenching and tugging it finally surrendered! Victory at last!

As I flung the thing into the pond, I thought, “What an unnecessary ordeal this had become.” If I had pulled it out when it was small it would have been quick and painless, not to mention all that wasted energy I used warding off the nagging thoughts to take care of it. Instead, I waited till it was so out of control, special measures had to be taken to rid myself of the problem. Wow. What a life lesson.

How many things do I ignore because I don’t want to deal with it now? When will I learn that it’s only going to get more difficult and zap more energy the longer I wait? Who says weeds don’t have a purpose? This weed sure did. I should have dealt with it right away. It would have been easier on both of us! May I never forget my lesson from the weed!

Hope & Glory! to You ~ Love

Rebecca