Thankful Thursday

1. Weeding - Ok, truth be told... I'm really not thankful for weeding, but more for what it represents. This morning after my walk, I wandered out into our backyard to pick some raspberries. Along the back of our yard, we have a bed that eventually will be filled with strawberry plants. Right now, it is FULL of weeds (thanks to some great "compost" from my dad's cattle). I decided I was going to start cleaning out the weed bed. There were dandelions, stinging nettle, thistles, and an endless variety of others. As I was working, it occurred to me that "weeding" is much like how God works in us. Unkind thoughts and actions are like the nettle, stinging those that reach out to touch them. Thistles can be the anger, resentment, jealousy that we harbor inside while presenting the flower to the world. The weeds become a tangle in our hearts and take over our entire being. If you have ever pulled weeds, you know that you have to take your time and pull out the entire root or they will just regrow. It is a ongoing process, even when we think that there are no more weeds, new growth pops up. It's easy to become discouraged and give up. Thankfully, God patiently untangles our hearts and souls, reaching out to the root of our hurts to heal them, cleaning our "weed bed" clean so that He can plant beauty there instead. He nourishes us and provides the "Sonshine" to help us grow - perhaps so that we can share that beauty with the world around us. He never gives up, but is diligently working within our hearts. This is probably not a novel concept and others have perhaps written very similar thoughts, but I am thankful that God put this in my heart this morning. I am even more touched that He loves me enough to be committed to that continous "weeding" of my heart and soul.

2. The fair - Our county fair is going on this week. This morning's walk took me past the fairgrounds and the smells from the cattle and horse barns brought back many wonderful memories. Growing up on a dairy farm, my childhood was filled with 4-H and FFA activities. I showed cattle in many arenas throughout the state. I loved visiting with the people who wandered through the barns, showing off my treasured pets (hmmm - may have to look for a picture to post), and of course, the yummy fair food. Another one of my fair favorites is the demolition derby (yes, I know... a testament to my redneck side)! So, I am looking forward to Saturday when I can enjoy some cheese curds, perhaps a milkshake, and choose the best car to cheer on in the dd (I bet you didn't know that I have a pretty good track record in picking the winner - lol)!