Christian Writers Circle

Spring, Season of New Growth
by Judy Hitson

     Nature brings new life in springtime here in Tennessee. Dead grass of winter turns green and lush. Trees bud forth new growth. Flowers peek from the earth such as crocuses, daffodils, and tulips. Flowering shrubs add vibrant colors to our landscape like rhododendron and azalea. Weeds, those unwanted plants, also surface.

Recently, a neighbor was working in her yard. I remarked, “Your place will be beautiful.” She asked, “How do I get rid of the weeds?” “We can ask the master gardener who lives on our street,” I said.

It takes time and hard work to nurture and develop our gardens and remove weeds and pests. Let’s consider another garden to tend, that is our heart and get rid of weeds in our soul (our mind, will and emotions).

Here is an illustration of weeds I needed to get rid of in my heart. My husband and I had an unresolved conflict. In the night, I woke, hearing, “Remember to defer to your husband.” What?!

I confess I did not defer to my husband but in anger argued with him. The Lord woke me with a reminder of a lesson he taught me long ago. All shook up I got out of bed to journal what I heard. God faced me with the condition of my heart. The important issue was my need of a clean heart not whether my husband was right or wrong.

The following morning I shared with him how the Lord woke me. Talking with each other in a considerate and respectful manner, we were able to resolve conflicting opinions in a peaceful manner. Our perspectives did not change but we better understood our differing viewpoints.

Thanks to being wakened in the night by the Master Gardener, my Father in heaven; I chose to love and forgive. My heart was rid of weeds, unforgiveness and pride.

May the Lord bless each of us to grow in the Spirit this season.

In closing I share a Scriptural prayer that’s been helpful in my life and invite you to pray also:
Ps. 139: 23-24 NASB Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.