Weeds

As I look forward to spring and the prospect of planting beautiful flowers, tending my flower beds, and beginning my garden, I am reminded of the pesky weeds which challenge me year after year. While we might consider them the enemy and look at them in strictly a negative way, I would like to think outside the flower box for a minute and consider some important lessons they can teach us. When I began to take a closer look, here are some of the positive lessons I found:  

• Weeds are persistent and strong. They can grow through pavement and rocks. They can take over a lawn or a garden. They are a force to be reckoned with.
• Weeds make the most of what they've got. They utilize nutrients and water very well. They can grow in the poorest of soils and survive extreme temperatures. Of all the plants in your yard, they'll do their best to die last!
• Weeds have strong roots that spread out far and wide and run deep. They are not easily uprooted. They support each other. Pulling up one weed doesn't hamper the overall growth if you don't pull all of the roots up along with the other weeds.
• Weeds are good at protecting themselves. They don't surrender easily. They have thorns or prickles, and some have chemicals that can irritate skin or be hazardous to eat. Even as they are being killed or uprooted, many release their seeds, which can attach to fur or clothes or go into the ground. They are survivors!
• Weeds adapt easily to their surroundings. They will be the first to grow where the ground has been disturbed or a forest fire has occurred. If you plant a certain flower or plant, weeds which look similar to them will begin growing next to them. They know how to go with the flow!
• Weeds reproduce quickly. They don't waste any time spreading their likeness. Wish more Christians could spread the seed of God's word as effectively and quickly!
• Being called something as dreadful as a "weed" has not stopped many weeds from being beautiful! Despite being criticized and loathed, they stand tall and proud. Just goes to show that there are many kinds of beauty, and you don't have to be a perfect rose to make this world a prettier, happier place. Some are even useful, such as the dandelion, which can be eaten or used for medicinal purposes.
• Weeds come back each year, stronger and thicker than before. You can always count on weeds to be there. Weeds are dependable!

Wow, I actually found more good in those pesky weeds than I expected!  Maybe this is a good excuse to just leave them be?