Weeds

He put before them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, “Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?” He answered, “An enemy has done this.” The slaves said to him, “Then do you want us to go and gather them?” But he replied, “No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.” ’ Matthew 13:24-30

Weeds can be devastating to farmers and gardeners. In my lifetime all sorts of chemicals were used to control and kill weeds. We found out, way too late, that most of those products caused cancers and ruined the soil. And our lives of faith are often disturbed by all sorts of weeds from folks who unintentionally undermine the community, to times when our exhaustion and pain overwhelms us. Weeds are everywhere. And we are reminded that God will deal with the weeds and we are to care for the growth, the tender ones, the most vulnerable shoots that would be destroyed by pulling up the weeds.

Loving Creator, you are the master gardener

you know us by names and design our seasons

you see the challenges and the weeds around us

and you promise to help us grow daily in faith.

We are often overwhelmed by the weeds 

we think they keep us from reaching our potential

yet the weeds teach us all of our limits

and show us the sacred earth is to be shared.

Help us to be tender gardeners here

give us eyes to focus on the tender ones

give us the strength to care for the vulnerable

and faith enough to trust you will supply all. Amen.