Monday's Writings

Hiding In Plain Sight

Tall grasses, vibrant green groundcover and blossoming rosemary cover our front yard. The rain has been very good for it. I pause, admiring the lushness, when I see it. A clover plant has filled in a corner very nicely.  Well, I say to myself, it is technically a weed, but it looks good to have something there other than dirt. I will keep an eye on it and make sure it doesn't start to take over and choke out the other plants.

The next time I walk by I notice a half dozen dandelions hiding in plain sight - trying to blend in so I won't notice them and pull them out by the root. As I look over the rest of the yard I am startled to see other clumps of weeds quietly tucked in here and there disguising themselves as intentional greenery. For a minute, I think- well, what's the harm, if everything flows together to create a pleasant view- do I really care what specific plant is rooted there?

Then I remember, weeds are strong and determined plants that spread quickly and overtake the soil to choke out other more desirable plants. I determine to dig out the weeds soon.

As I bend over the first clump of undesirable plants struggling to make sure I remove the entire bundle, roots and all, I realize how similar the front yard is to my spiritual life. Things, words, habits, thoughts, make a way into my life bit by bit without my even noticing them until they have taken root. Then they blend into the busyness of my life, and it's not until I stop to take a good look at myself do I even notice just what has crept in and made themselves at home. Even then I can't see everything.

Investigate my life, O God,

    find out everything about me;

Cross-examine and test me,

    get a clear picture of what I’m about;

See for yourself whether I’ve done anything wrong—

    then guide me on the road to eternal life.

Psalm 139:23-24 MSG

Create in me a new, clean heart, O God, 

filled with clean thoughts and right desires.

 Psalm 51:10 TLB

Dear Lord, thank You for hearing my prayer and opening my mind and giving me eyes to see and a heart that understands what You are bringing to my attention. Please forgive me for allowing wrong thoughts and unhealthy habits to find a place in my life and then go unnoticed. Thank You for Your faithfulness to reveal these things to me instead of allowing me to get swallowed up in the gradual mess of my own making. In Jesus name, amen.

Written by Mary M. Wilkins

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