Mulchin' The Plants

Psalm 37:9-11 – For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land. A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace. (NIV)

One day recently as I was out watering the plants, I noticed that our pine tree had dropped plenty of needles in the street. I decided to clean them up so the entire yard would look nice. As I was picking them up, I remembered that my dad always used grass clippings to mulch the plants. So, I neatly piled them under the plants that needed protection the most.

Then I saw some weeds. I pulled them out and placed them under the plants and said to myself, "Well, at least these weeds are good for something." As I said that, God pointed out a truth that helped me, which I will pass along to help others.

Some are feeling pressed on all sides. Yes, it seems that there are enemies everywhere, including maybe even in your own family. But God says, "Take heart. I am using these trials to make you stronger and to depend solely on me — no one else. For there is no other God but I."

In time these weeds growing all around us will be plucked right out of the ground. The riches that they acquired and never used for God will be placed squarely in our hands, and we shall be rich towards God and for God!

They will be "mulch" for our ministries, to help them grow and prosper, and be effective in spreading the good news of Jesus Christ. Let's think about it: without trials, how could we testify of the goodness and mercy and grace and love of God, that He shows us every day, new every morning?

So mulch joyfully, for the time is coming when a bounty will be dropped in our hands and God will say, "Now use it for me!"

There is no greater love than the love of God which He delivers to us daily through His Son Jesus! So, let us celebrate and make plans to be blessed so that when the day comes, we will be ready to move for God and follow His will for our lives!

Prayer: Gracious and bountiful God, we give you thanks for all your gifts, even those which appear in the midst of trials. Help us to recognize how You want us to use even the weeds for good purposes in working in Your vineyard. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.