WEEDS: A MODERN-DAY PARABLE

I had a notion this summer to plant a vegetable garden. Now before you gardening aficionados pass out from the photo, here me out. Remember, I’m no green thumb, but a modern-day parable emerged from that experience.

 

Set with honorable intentions, I was determined to produce something good from the ground. And just plain tired of the high cost of this, that and the other, I wanted my family to reap the benefits of fresh, healthy, and yes, inexpensive vegetables. I bought the seeds (10 packets of various varieties). I read the instructions (thoroughly). I prepared the ground (okay, my husband turned over the soil, but I made the mounds and poked the holes!). I planted the seeds…all by myself!

 

Quite proud of my accomplishment, I didn’t factor in what may have been obvious to the trained gardener…WEEDS! I know a dandelion when I see one, but there were just as many varieties of weeds as were the seeds I planted. My initial thought could have been, “Give up. There are too many of them out there and I can’t tell the difference between a radish leaf and ragweed!”

 

Honestly, I couldn’t tell the difference, but a deeper nourishment was growing in my resolve. I got excited when I uncovered cucumbers sprouting under prickly leaves and stalks. I enjoyed a wonderful long-distance connection with my mom after picking turnip greens (I had to get her secret on how to cook them to tender perfection). And I proudly shared my beautiful, leafy lettuce mix with my boss and co-workers who reaped the benefits.

 

I didn’t much care for the weeds, but they taught me to appreciate what good still remains in a fallen world. It’s true. From major metropolises to small-town Americana, our own borders are overgrown with domestic violence, drug trafficking, murders, rapes, pornography and every variety of sin you can imagine. But sprouting amid the weeds are caring souls making a difference in the gardens where they’ve been planted. They’re uncovering the potential growing amongst life’s thistles. They’re rejoicing over the U-turns of the last, the least, the lost. They’re proudly sharing their faith, their hope, their testimony with any and every one willing to listen.

 

Listen to what Jesus says about the Parable of the Weeds found in Matthew 13:24-30a…

 

“The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’ ‘An enemy did this,’ he replied. The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ ‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest’.”

 

You see, it’s easier to say, “I give up!” because quite frankly, garden variety weeds are a nuisance. But in the harvest field designed by the Creator of the universe, things that grow and thrive alongside modern-day weeds are beautiful!

 

 

Full Embrace

1. What are some “weeds” you have personally encountered lately?
2. What seeds (i.e., gifts, talents, abilities) do you believe God has planted in you?
3. Name 2-3 specific instances where you have been a nourishment to someone?

 

An Encouraging Word – Dear Lord, We thank You for the gift of Your Holy Spirit planted firm within our hearts. May we be a nourishment to those we encounter. And when the sins of the world sprout up attempting to choke life from the harvest You’ve planted, remind us to always choose to produce good fruit which satisfies a hungry soul. AMEN.