I was outside today weeding one my little gardens, and someone drove by in a tractor. He turned down the road near my house, and must have been on his way to his nearby farm. He waved, and I waved back. Instantly I felt a sense of community. I felt as if my weeding in a small part contributed to the "well being" of the neighborhood. I then thought about how much I enjoy taking a walk and noticing the yards with flowers and statues and decorations. I thought about the various holidays, especially Christmas, as people put up lights and other decorations to celebrate the holiday as a community together. My family enjoys taking a ride in December to various towns and down many streets looking for spectacular light displays! We enjoy the small ones, too.
My husband and I did a little landscaping today, but I am still not caught up with all my weeding. However, I do have to say that I feel the reward for my hard work extends beyond myself and my family. I do believe that the neighbors appreciate, even if subconsciously, the upkeep of my property. A property not kept up can actually decrease the value of the homes in the neighborhood, especially when right next door. I remember someone in my old neighborhood who had trouble selling their home because the house next door was so unkept.
So the next time you grumble about your weeding, as I often do, or mowing, or planting/pruning, whatever it may be, remember that it is a gift you give to all those around you, whether living close by or driving by. It makes us all feel good when you take pride in your home. So thank you!
Matthew 13:24-43
ReplyDeleteNew International Version (NIV)
The Parable of the Weeds
24 Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. 26 When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.
27 “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’
28 “‘An enemy did this,’ he replied.
“The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’
29 “‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’”
Oh, a great parable about weeding! The application is this:
DeleteMatthew 13:36-43: Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares [weeds] of the field. He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.