Beware of the weeds among the flowers...

I was wandering around outside admiring the beauty of the azaleas in the yard, thinking how lovely they are.  It's such a treat to have them bloom at Christmas.  Their white purity is glorious.  But something else caught my eye.  I looked to the bush next to the azaleas and saw the most ugly sprouting of weeds.  They were not just ordinary dandelions...these could become trees if left alone.  I couldn't believe how big they had gotten before I noticed them. 

As soon as I saw them, I began pulling them out.  I went for the big stalk at first.  It wouldn't budge.  I used all my strength...nothing.  So I took a tug on the smaller one next to it.  It came out!  Now that the ground was loosened, I pulled again at the big one.  Finally, it pulled out without much trouble.  I thought I was done, but with a closer look, found one more starting beside where the other's had been.  I wasn't going to give it any more growing time.  I yanked that baby out quick!  It was small enough that it came right out.

This got my heart to thinking....

Isn't that how the weeds of sin and disobedience crop up in my life?  I want to focus on the beauty in my life while ignoring those pesky, undesirable habits/attitudes that are growing right under my nose.  When I try to change, going for the biggest problem, sometimes I find that it's just too stubborn to come out all at once.  When I work on it bit by bit, attitudes and habits change.  It is the Lord who directs and enables me to change.  Remember, He is the Gardener.  (John 15:1)

In preparation for Christmas, may I allow the Almighty Gardener to weed my heart of anything that is not put there by Him. 

"When you produce much fruit you are my true disciples.

This brings great glory to my Father."  John 15:8

When the weeds are gone, the garden looks so much better.