Planting and Watering

Compared to one year ago, we’re having a wonderful Spring season with abundant rains and moderate temperatures. Cool nights and warm afternoons are the perfect weather conditions for new tree growth and the reemergence of summer grasses. That means it’s time for yard grooming and a renewed effort to rid your property of unwanted guests. It seems we’ve become very intolerant toward several nature tenants around our property, with due cause in some cases. Bees and squirrels and birds and ants and snakes and ground moles, along with the occasional possum or skunk, are all looking for a new residence for the summer to raise their new born. The urban NINBY syndrome (Not In My Back Yard) kicks in and we go to war with whatever we don’t want sharing our nest. Between the squirrels digging up nuts, stored last fall, during the day and a visiting possum rooting for grubs during the night, my yard looks like the lunar landscape. I guess it’s time to get the traps out. Anybody still eat these things?
God called the angel in charge of gardening into His office. “You know all about gardens and nature. What in the world is going on down there in the USA? What happened to the dandelions, violets and thistles I started eons ago? I thought I had a perfect no-maintenance gardening plan. Those plants grow in any type of soil, withstand drought and multiply with abandon. The nectar from the long-lasting blossoms attracts butterflies, honeybees and flocks of songbirds. I expected to see a vast garden of colors by now, but all I see are these green rectangles.” “Lord, it’s the tribes that have settled there”, the angel explained, “the Suburbanite’s. They started calling your flowers weeds and went to great lengths to kill them and plant grass.” “Grass!?” “Yes sir. They go to great pains to grow it. They fertilize it in the spring, which also kills any other plant that might want to grow there.” God observed, “The spring rains and warm weather makes the grass grow really fast. That must make the Suburbanite’s happy.” “Apparently not’, said the angel. “As soon as it grows a little they cut it, sometimes twice a week.” “Do they bail it”, asked the Lord? “Not exactly”, explained the angel, “most of them rake it up and bag it.” “So they sell it.” “No sir”, replied the angel, “just the opposite. They pay to throw it away.” In disbelief, the Lord said, “So the Suburbanite’s fertilize the grass to make it grow so they can cut it and throw it away?” “That’s not all”, replied the angle, “when it stops growing in the summer, due to less rain and higher temperatures, they drag out hoses and pay money to water it to make it grow, so they can continue to mow it and pay to get rid of it.” “What nonsense!”, said the Lord. “At least they kept the trees. Beauty and shade in the summer, and when the leaves fall in Autumn, they form a natural blanket to keep moisture in the soil and protect the trees and bushes. Plus they rot and enhance the soil. It’s a natural circle of life.” The angel nervously said, “Lord, I think you better sit down before I continue.”
[1 Corinthians 3] The Word of God is direction for mankind to establish a spiritual relationship with God. The church is a support group to encourage righteous living and maintaining a right relationship with God. Yet, we still see humans, being elevated to the same level, if not higher, than God is. Their authority is accepted when God’s is questioned. All humans can do is plant and water the Word of God. Study and listen to God’s Word every day, and Jesus will make it grow in your life, now and forever.