Garden of Grace

Well, hey there, sweet pea! Pull up a comfy chair on this here front porch swing, and let’s gab for a little ‘ole minute. Life’s ‘a-hollerin’ for your attention like a rooster that don’t know when to quit ’a-crowin'. But the Lord? Why, He speaks soft like, you know, gentle as a breeze through the magnolias. Choose His voice first, and you’ll find strength you didn’t know you had and joy that sneaks up on you like a surprise slice of pie.

Jesus told a story in Luke 8:14 about seeds ‘a-fallin’ among thorns. You know, like those folks who hear God’s Word but get choked out by “the cares and riches and pleasures of this life.” Now, I don’t know about you, but I’ve never seen a weed politely knock on the garden gate and ask permission to ruin my day. No ma’am! Weeds show up uninvited, grow faster than gossip at a church potluck, and before you know it, they’re ‘a-wrappin’ themselves around the good stuff.

And that’s exactly how distractions work.! They don’t jump out and yell, “I’m here to ruin your spiritual life!” Oh no, they ease in slow like. A little worry here, a little busyness there, a hobby that grows bigger than your Bible time, and suddenly the things of God get pushed to the back burner like yesterday’s cornbread.

And here’s the kicker: most of these “weeds” ain’t even bad things. They’re just loud things. Shiny things. Time eatin’ things. Good things that become too important and start ‘a-crowdin’ out the best things.

Jesus wasn’t ‘a-talkin’ about folks who hate prayer or avoid church. He meant the ones who like spiritual things. They just slowly stop lovin’ them. Their hearts drift, their priorities shift, and before long, God feels far away, not because He moved, but because life got noisy.

So, every now and then, we gotta check our garden. Not the one we brag about, but the one that actually gets our time, our energy, and our attention. In Luke 12:34, Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Translation: whatever gets your focus gets your heart.

Lord, thank You for life, breath, and purpose. Help me spot the weeds before they take root. Teach me to treasure what matters, to choose the eternal over the temporary, and to keep my heart anchored in You. Pull me back when I drift and fill me with Your Spirit so I walk steady and true. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Now go on out there, sunshine. Tend that heart garden of yours. Start with God, stick with God, end with God, and watch how fast the weeds lose their grip.

With joy,

Gwen