We had to let our gardener go. We just couldn’t afford him – he kept breaking things. Like the lawnmower and the edge cutter. And the mower’s power cable. And more rakes than I have fingers… Need I go on?

The point is – this weekend found me in the garden, up to my elbows in mud and earthworm bits. I won’t lie – it was really tough going. The weeds had been left to their own devices for way too long. As all good villains should, they had worked themselves in amongst the flowers, wrapping around and through and over and under.

We all know to effectively remove a weed, it has to come out roots and all. Easier said than done though, when good and bad are all entangled and anchored into ground so hard and dry, it would do for bricks. So I soaked it, then went to work with a fork. I dug it in deep at the roots of each bush and loosened the hard earth.

If I could speak plant, I would have leaned in close and said, don’t worry little bush – you are precious to me, I’m not here to harm you or take you out. I’m after the weeds that are choking the life out of you. 

As soon as the weeds were out, I patted the soil around each plant down firmly – securing them in place once more. I thought about life. I’ve been through times when everything I thought I knew was shaken. Things I put my trust and hope in crumbled and vanished. The funny thing is – those situations are long gone and I’m still here.

If I was listening, I would have heard my Heavenly Daddy lean in close and whisper – don’t worry my little girl, I’m not here to harm you or take you out. I’m after the weeds that are choking the life out of you.

Our Gardener is good. Even if everything around you is shaking, you can trust Him to keep you because you are His. Your life is precious to Him.