Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: ENOUGH (01/07/21)
-
TITLE: A Curbed Appeal To Discontent | Previous Challenge Entry
By Linda Lawrence
01/13/21 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
For twenty-five summers I’ve grumbled about my front yard that only grows weeds because of the concrete clay soil and humping roots of towering sweet gum trees. Each fall as the rains come, a variety of weeds pops up, providing a patchy green ground cover. But when the rain stops, the weeds dry up and turn brown.
Last summer I decided to hire a landscaper to conquer the weeds and multiple challenges of my small front yard. I wanted curb appeal. I saved up a thousand dollars. Twenty-five years ago that thousand dollars might have spruced up the yard, but to my chagrin, now it wasn’t enough to heal even the curb strip. Continuing silent grumbling actually caused my chest to ache. My unsettled spirit led to pacing and restlessness.
This discontent was ridiculous! I love my back yard—a miniature garden of Eden to soothe my spirit. How can I complain when I’ve been given so much? How dare I want more? That’s greedy!
I always considered the easy to maintain, private, back yard my “cool of the evening” trysting place with the Lord. Was I being tempted as Eve was tempted—to believe that God was withholding from me something good? Could I not be content with what I had? I circled the house, counting the plants and features about my yard that gave me pleasure. A waterfall with its sound of running water, daisies and bluebells, a star magnolia tree, an inviting grape arbor . . . I listed more than a hundred reasons for delight. Was I going to let discontent choke out thankfulness?
I’ve heard weeds defined simply as plants that grow where you don’t want them. But where did the weeds come from? And why would their seed thrive, but grass seed would not? God used ravens to bring bread to Elijah. Maybe He is behind birds bringing weed-seeds into my inhospitable soil. The weeds have no trouble growing sturdy deep roots. Am I meant to accept and be content with what God has provided? Is a brown yard such a bad thing to have each summer? Is pride or greed behind my wanting year-round curb appeal?
A thought, a seed dropped in my mind a few weeks before, springs up. I remember hearing about a grandmother at our sister church in Uganda, caring for her orphaned grandchildren, yet living in a house with a dirt floor.
Wouldn’t a thousand dollars go a lot further in Uganda than at my local nursery? Having a healthy living space is much more important than curb appeal. A new point of view?
Suddenly the ache was gone. My spirit settled into joyous contentment. My well-built house, my glory-filled backyard is enough. I don’t need more. And I shall not want.
My saved seed money was thrown and sown. Western Union was the bird. Streams of Life Church in Kampala was the soil. Whatever grows from these seeds will be whatever God chooses to provide. I suspect it will look more like bread than a manicured lawn, but I will be satisfied with whatever God causes to grow.
As for the barren soil of my heart, the seeds of thankfulness have taken deep root. Already, I can taste the sweetness of contentment.
Genesis 3; I Kings 17; Matthew 13
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
