I had a great day Saturday working with other volunteers to spruce up the church property. It was a wonderful Lenten Discipline and a great fellowship opportunity. I admit, I didn’t learn everything I need to know but I did learn: 
1. If you let things go too long, little things turn into big things. Thankfully, Bert Adams works in the gardens daily. I can’t imagine trying to get a handle on the weeds once or twice a year. (I’m looking at you, Lent and Advent.) Daily prayer, reflection, confession and Bible study – even blog writing and reading – helps pluck sin weeds from our soul garden.

2. Sometimes I couldn’t tell the difference between plants and weeds. Under Bert’s guidance, I learned which insidious plants multiple rapidly choking out beautiful flowers. The same is true of our own activities. Where do we spend our time? What seemingly innocent activities crowd out more beautiful ones? What distracts our body, mind, will and soul?

3. Some things have to be pulled out by the roots. It’s easy to snap weeds off at the ground. When I tried to pull weeds out by the roots, I found thick, deep roots entangled in the roots of good plants. Pulling new weeds out by the roots is much better than “managing appearances.”

4. If I could, I’d spend more time being Bert’s apprentice. I learned so much from him and from the other church members (including Pastor Roy) who volunteered. We are all Jesus’s apprentices, modeling what we learn from our master in fellowship with each other, helping tend each other’s gardens and our own. I hope we have church clean up more often!

Read Philippians 4:8, and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally!

Mike