Matthew 13:29-30
29 “‘No,’ he said. ‘If you pull out the weeds you might uproot the wheat at the same time. 30 You must allow them both to grow together until the time of harvest. At that time, I’ll tell my harvesters to make sure they gather the weeds first and tie them all in bundles to be burned. Then they will harvest the wheat and put it into my barn.’”
Let the weeds and flowers grow up together.
Every year around the middle to end of summer, I suddenly realize how many weeds I missed that have grown up with the plants I intended for the garden. The differences in the plants are now more defined and easier to see and I can identify weeds from flowers. Early in the season it can sometimes be hard to distinguish weeds and intended plants. If I try to pull weeds too early, I unintentionally pull up the flowers or uproot part of a wanted plant. If I patiently wait for a day after some rain and a time when the plants are easily distinguishable, I can beautify the garden and remove the unwanted usupers. I recently have identified this similar principle when walking with women in our program. When they come, I can quickly identify what I consider the "wheat and the weeds", but as I am just getting to know her; it is too early to start plucking up and digging at all that appears as unwanted, not good or wrong: whether actions, behaviors, thought patterns, or responses. I need to let relationship and roots of love establish in order to allow the good and the bad to "grow together" so that, when it is time to "harvest", not only will I be able to distinguish between what should stay and go but she will be part of the equation. She will be more willing to respond to correction, sound teaching and see for herself what should stay and go in her life. I have to lean heavily on my Father's gracious wisdom and patiently allow both so I do not uproot the good seed He has already planted in her heart that has not fully matured. I am so glad He does this for me and I continually am learning how to do this for and with others. Sometimes even the weeds turn out to be a beautiful addition to the garden that I keep and make room for where they are not harming a maturing plant that I want to be there; and sometimes even the weeds with beautiful flowers get ripped up at the end of the season to make room for the intended, purposeful ones.
May you have patience to trust the leading of the Holy Spirit as you wade through the weeds!