WEEDS

Have you ever caught yourself focusing on only the negative in a situation?

For the second year in a row I have planted a vegetable garden.  This garden is a source of food for my husband and myself and as an added bonus it provides me with a sense of accomplishment.  It provides relatively quick recognition for all of my hard work. 

 After returning from a recent weekend trip, I learned that the rain fell in buckets on my garden while we were away.  When looking at my garden the only thing I noticed was how many weeds consumed my cucumbers, tomatoes and peppers.  Weeds, weeds, weeds…everywhere!  I had much urgency to clear these weeds knowing that if they stayed for a long enough time not only would they worsen, but they would steal the water and nutrients that my vegetables desperately need to maintain a healthy crop during a hot summer. 

My vision was blurred from seeing anything but the weeds that were there. 

As I began to pull the weeds back from the vegetables and dig their roots from the soiled ground, I had a revelation.  Sometimes our vision gets clouded by what is facing us head on.  After pulling several weeds, I stopped to look at each plant.  I noticed how fruitful each one was becoming and saw signs of “soon to be” cucumbers, tomatoes and peppers.  Sometimes we focus so much on the “weeds” in our life that we let it consume us and we don’t always stop to see all of the beautiful “plants” we have in our life.  The weeds take over and they become your main focus. 

Why hadn’t I looked at my plants initially to see the progress they have made? 

When looking at a difficult situation in life, sometimes all we do is focus first on the weeds instead of first realizing the greatness that is lurking underneath the weeds.  I wonder what would happen if we applied this garden principle to our difficult situations?  I can’t help but think that by first seeing the greatness that is below the surface that maybe this would allow us to have the right approach to rid our lives of the weeds? 

Focusing on the negative things in a situation will only steal your joy and rob you of the fruits you have worked so hard for.  The next time weeds pop up in your life, as they inevitably will, take time to first recognize all of the positive things.  You will be refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready to rid the weeds!!!