A time to plant and a time to uproot Ecclesiastes 3:2
Today was a cool blistery day even though Spring has begun. This afternoon I decided to do
a little weeding in the garden. I was reflecting that when we had moved to our home 5 years
ago, there was a lot of what I call ‘river reed’ growing. It is a plant that has a very strong root
system and is great for retaining the bank of a creek or river, but not so good in a domestic
garden!

It had taken a lot of hard work and digging to remove the plants. There were several, but in
the end, they were all removed and disposed of. Or so I thought.
Lately I noticed there were tiny plants starting to grow again along the pathway where the
original plants had been removed. Even though the reeds were completely dug out,
obviously a tiny root has remained in the soil, and a couple of years later, up they begin to
grow again.
It reminded me of the Scripture that say to “guard your heart with all diligence, for out of it

spring the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23 NASB. Our hearts are often likened to a garden,
which needs to be tendered. Isaiah 58:11 AMP says “and the Lord will continually guide
you, and satisfy your soul in scorched and dry places, and you will be like a watered garden,
and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.” This is the intention of our Lord and
Friend for our lives; His continual guidance so that we are becoming a beautiful place of rest
and refreshment.

Mark Chapter 4, the parable of the Sower, we read in verse 19, that the message (or seed)
is about the Kingdom. The Kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy
Spirit. But when the seed fell among thorns or weeds, the plant became choked .(v7) I
believe some of these weeds or thorns are words that have been spoken and which have
produced wounds in our hearts, which can deter God’s Word from producing a full crop of
good fruit in our lives. And just like those tiny plants that began to regrow from the river
reeds that had been dug out of our garden, we are to be watchful that we don’t allow old
thought patterns or negative thinking to be reactivated in our hearts and minds.

Our wonderful Lord and Friend wants to guide us continually and satisfy our souls in any dry
or scorched places. Let’s yield to His voice of love, truth and kindness and see how He
transforms us into that beautiful, fragrant watered garden of His Presence. A place of
righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Shalom Kath