Weeds

In total defiance to my cutting them down, the weeds in my yard seem to double every week. Our winter rains have awaken their dormant hibernating state to pop up like green monsters that sling gooey slim everywhere when attacked by trimmers and lawnmowers alike. Well, I decided to spray them after discovering my cutting of the dandelions and burr clover was only reseeding the already out of control plants. I thought it was too cold for that, but apparently not. It seems to be working. All the broad leaf plants (weeds) look burnt and the clover is crunchy when walked on. Oh, it would be heaven to not step on a burr in my bare feet in the house. One of those little, bitty burrs can stop you in your tracks right now, and say things you shouldn’t ought to
Sue, a mother of two teens and a three-year-old, was completing her college degree. Her Sociology teacher assigned the class their last project of the term called “Smile”. The class was asked to go out, smile at three total strangers, and document their reactions. Sue is a friendly person and always greeting people with a smile and “hello” anyway, so figured this would be a piece of cake. Soon after the assignment was given, only needing one more “smile” subject to document, she, her husband and youngest child went out for breakfast one cold morning, to a fast-food establishment, needing to share some fun time. While standing in line, waiting to be served, suddenly everyone around began to back away, even her husband and child. Panic welled up inside her and turned to look at why they had moved. She was greeted with a horrible “dirty body” order emanating from two homeless men. The shorter of the two looked at her, “smiling”. His beautiful sky blue eyes were full of God’s light as he searched for acceptance. He said “Good day” then counted some coins in his hand. The second man fumbled with his hands as he stood behind his friend. Sue then realized the second man was mentally challenged and the blue-eyed man was his salvation. Sue gestured the men to the front of the now deformed line. The young woman at the counter asked what they wanted. The short man said, “Coffee is all Miss” because that was all they could afford. (If they wanted to sit in the restaurant to warm up, they had to buy something.) Sue felt his smile and the compulsion to help in some loving way was over whelming. With a smile, Sue ordered two more breakfast meals on a separate tray. She then walked to the table the men had chosen as a resting spot, put the tray on the table, and placed her compassionate hand on the cold hand of the blue-eyed man. He looked up at her, with tears in his eyes, a smile on his face, and said, “Thank you.” Sue leaned over and said, “I did not do this for you. God is here, working through me, to give you hope.” Sue discovered a “smile” can be more than a friendly greeting. A smile can be the key to another’s heart, opening it to the unconditional love within us all.
[Isaiah 64: 1-6] When standing before God, all we have and all we do still makes us look like homeless, dirty, stinking bums. Will you be smiling when you gaze upon the face of God? If you know of His love and compassion for you, you will. And, His return smile will be one of unconditional love and acceptance. Because God sent his Son, I have an avenue to forgiveness of my sins (disobedience) to God and through the resurrection of Christ, I have the hope of everlasting life with my Heavenly Father. The “weeds” of my sins are covered in the blood of Christ. There are no burrs in heaven.