Let both (the wheat and tares) grow together till the day of harvest – Matthew 13:30
The gardener in me sometimes comes to life when I least expect it. I am by no means a ‘green thumb’ but the sight of a clover leaf will get me going. Clover has medicinal properties I’m told, but I’m not growing clover, I’m trying to grow a lawn!
The first time I spotted a telltale leaf I immediately set about removing the intrusion. I got a firm grip and started to pull at it. I was amazed at what I saw. The roots were intertwined with the grass and it was very difficult to distinguish one from the other. At times I firmly grasped pieces and pulled with all my might only to come up with pieces of lush green grass. Frustrating. In trying to get rid of the weed I was killing what I had deliberately planted and nurtured. I decided to take a closer look at what lay beneath the obvious and after careful attention, was able to extricate a rather long specimen. Looking down at my prize lawn, I could see the path my hands and tools had wandered, leaving patches of grass in their wake. Grass seeds, black earth and water came to the rescue and in a few weeks, all was good as new.
Life lessons came to mind…. how is my walk with God? Do I blend in with others around me? Have I kept my salvation a secret to avoid standing out? If someone wanted to find the Christian in the room, would they have to come armed with tweezers and a magnifying glass? Have I become like everyone else or do I stand out for the right reason? What have I allowed to become so entwined in my life that has made it difficult to separate one from the other? The Word of God says in Matthew 5:16 that our light should shine so that men may see our good works and glorify our heavenly Father.
Has the Master Gardener been at work in my life? Has He been trying to get rid of things that don’t belong there? Am I allowing Him to examine me and see if there is any offensive way in me? (Psalm 139:24) What has caused the holes in my heart? Am I allowing God to heal me in the places where He had to tear away something harmful that I was holding too close to me?
Selective listening kicks in. I hear what I want to hear and the rest I let fall like water off a duck’s back. The consequences are not far away. I can choose to let Him restore and heal. I can choose to give Him the opportunity to fix what has been broken and repair the breach or I can continue to leave the doors open for the enemy to wander in and take up residence.
Ephesians 4:26b cautions against given an opportunity to the devil. It’s time for house cleaning… swing your chair around so you face the mirror … how do you measure up?
Personal Application: “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts”.
Inventory/ Introspection: Have I allowed Him to remove all the roots? Or have I camouflaged things He’s telling me to get rid of?
Father, thank You for salvation. I do not have tongues to sing of Your greatness or hands enough to lift in praise to Your majesty. I give You all the glory.
Lord, I confess that I have allowed things that you don’t approve of into my life. I confess that I have allowed them to take root and disguise themselves as part of me. I renounce everything in my life that does not give you glory and I ask that you would wash me in the blood of the Lamb. Heal and restore for Your name’s sake.
Help me to keep my spiritual eyes and ears open and my heart attuned to You so that I may stand against the wiles of the enemy. I trust You with my very life and I ask that You would take my hand and lead me in Your truth . Be glorified in my life both now and forever.
Amen
Blessings,
ann
Toni R(c)
Originally posted on May 24, 2010
Except where indicated, Scripture taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
© Anthonette Anderson and Tonirand’s Blog, 2012. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Anthonette Anderson and Tonirand’s blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Tonirand's Blog 
Pat
Hello Ann,another wonderful and encouraging word,it’s amazing how we think our house cleaning is so good LOL! Until the Holy Spirit pours the light in and we see all the ugly that needs to go.Thank God for the Holy Spirit, for he not only shines the light,but he will also help us to let go of that unnecessary junk! I truly enjoyed the read and the encouragement.
Love you friend 😀 😀
Ann
God bless you, Sister Pat.
“Thank God for the Holy Spirit, for he not only shines the light,but he will also help us to let go of that unnecessary junk! ”
Beautifully put!
We have no excuse not to clean up our acts 🙂
Thanks for your constant support and encouragement. May He return to you a hundredfold!
Blessings
ann
Pat
You’re so welcome!
Love you much
Ann
You are such a blessing!
🙂
meetingintheclouds
C H A L L E N G E !
Ann, I clicked the “Like” button, but I don’t ‘like’ this blog. I appreciate it and I’m thankful for it, but I don’t ‘like’ it. It is too challenging!
You draw some great analogies that are hard-hitting. I think I need some surgery so I need to spend some time with the Great Physician.
Thank you Ann.
Ann
God bless you, Dear Angela
Ouch… sorry … 🙂 I am praying the healing will be swift!
Praying you will hear His voice with clarity as you listen for His direction.
Blessings,
ann
Debbie
“Have I camouflaged things He asked me to get rid of?” Oh Ann full of grace (and hard hitting posts) . . .I am asking Him that tonight. And a couple of things come to mind. I want to make excuses because these things are not bad and others get to have them in their lives. . .But, has He asked ME to get rid of them? Thank you so much Ann, for once again being His voice to me. God bless you as you allow Him to search you and show you just what He wants you to see. love and prayers!
Ann
Dearest Delightful Deb,
I am so sorry for the painful parts…. Praying He will grant you revelation and strength to do as He bids. (His strength is made perfect in our weakness! )
May His name be glorified as we watch and pray for each other.
Blessings,
ann
Debbie
No apologies needed! 😀 You are so gentle and compassionate and I know you do these for yourself as well, not directing them at anyone else. God just uses you in powerful ways and I’m thankful! God bless you and cover you today!
Ann
Dearest Deb
Thanks for being so kind. I like the way you put it 🙂 I have certainly felt the effects of having my roots ‘unequally linked’
This particular piece was written close to two years ago. The first post had no comments … perhaps it was a late post then. Maybe this re-post was His timing of the right season? I continue to trust Him.
Blessings,
ann
jelillie
Thanks Ann, God has been speaking to me for a while about getting to the roots. This is a lot harder than just getting rid of surface habits. They say you can change a habit in forty days;l That may be so but forty days just doesn’t do it to totally eradicate an ingrained mindset. Only Holy Spirit can do that AND I CAN SAY HE IS DOING IT IN ME! Thanks for your faithful reminder.
Ann
God bless you, Pastor J
“…God has been speaking to me for a while about getting to the roots. ”
Can be really tough going at times. Praying you will remain pliable in His hands as He makes you into what He wants you to be.
Praying your strength,
Blessings,
ann
Linda
I love this lesson, Ann… it’s as though you’ve written it just for me! God is helping me to separate two intertwined roots: vanity (sinful) and my good heart (reflecting Him). My husband’s needs require me to get an early start– wet hair, acne, sunscreen only. I hated this. But when I drive him to our various destinations, people only see that I’m kind… they smile and nod. I would have never figured that out on my own. God has mercy. He loves me that much.
Great story about the clover and the grass. The way God speaks through you blesses me.
Hugs… ; )
Ann
God bless you, Linda Dear
“God has mercy. He loves me that much.”
Indeed He does…. More than you can ever imagine. 🙂
You are such a darling wife. A true ‘help meet’. Praying He will give you peace, rest and grace as you stand by your beloved.
Respectfully,
ann
pbus1
This message was hard-hitting, for sure! Very often when I am praying, I will ask the Lord to shine the light from heaven on my soul, and if He finds anything that shouldn’t be, I always ask Him to take it out and to strengthen me. However, this post has helped me to think about whether or not there are things that I know are there but shouldn’t be, but have yet to do anything about them. I guess I am in need of “steel toed boots”, as well! (ouch!) I truly want nothing to come between my soul and my Savior. I am most definitely open to the work of the Holy Spirit in my life, and I yield myself to Him! Thank you, Ann! A word in season! May the Lord bless you continually, and keep you in His loving care!
Ann
Blessings, Minister.
“I truly want nothing to come between my soul and my Savior. I am most definitely open to the work of the Holy Spirit in my life, and I yield myself to Him! ”
Praying He will grant you the desires of your heart. as you allow Him to shine His searchlight on your life. He is faithful!
While you’re shopping, please grab me a pair of those boots too! 🙂
Blessings,
ann
pbus1
Ann
Thank you, Minister
What a humbling song…
“Holy fire, burn away my desire for anything that is not of You and is of me…” My goodness. Making this the prayer of my heart!
God bless you over and over again.
On His altar,
ann