Weeds in the Flowerbed; Flowers in the Weeds

What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have never been discovered.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Things rarely turn out the way we plan. How often do we intend to accomplish one thing, and something altogether different happens. Sometimes this life metaphor is so evident in our garden. Our daffodil patch has more weeds than flowers. And some of the most lovely daffodil varieties are shining among the weeds near our compost and burn piles. Why does this happen?

We work and cultivate for one thing to happen -- a great bed of daffodils, for instance. Instead it is embarrassing how prolific the weeds are in this particular bed of flowers. And around the yard, uncultivated and unnurtured by us are the most lovely flowers. I guess we need to constantly remember that we are not in command of what grows.

We simply garden. And the rest is up to the true Master Gardener. This most likely applies to all areas of our life. No matter how we strive and work for something to grow or change...we cannot ensure the outcome. It is out of our hands. The only thing of importance to us is the process.

I am the true vine, and my father is the gardener. John 15:1