Saturday, March 27, 2010

My dear God,

As you know, Great Redeemer, my number one goal is to be faithful. I want to live my life being faithful to you.

Yesterday I continued to pluck weeds from my contemplative garden. What a hard job! Some weeds have roots that I swear wind down to China. It seems like no matter how far down I dig, I can't quite get to the bottom of the root. Eventually I break it off. I know the weed will return to annoy me once again.

So I bought Preen, the weed preventer. In order for it to work, I have to rid the garden of every visible weed and then spread the preventer on top of the soil. Supposedly it will eradicate most weeds. We'll see.

Is there a soul weed preventer, Lord? How often have I worked to purge unwanted weeds in my life? I work and work but at times the root is so deep that when I am able to pull it, it breaks off leaving a remnant that I will have to contend with another time.

In the quiet solitude of my backyard, I sat among my budding flower bulbs, evergreens and rock pond scooping out dead leaves that fell into my tiny pond during autumn and winter. That got me to thinking. Is faith and trust in you a weed preventer? Is it possible that a growing faith, a greater trust help to alleviate some of the weed power? Is my ability to focus on you a deterrent to weeds taking hold of my being?

I return to the truth revealing to me the need to focus on you. When my eyes stray away from you for even a short time, I can forget the power I possess to resist temptation, to give in to emotions, attitudes or beliefs that can do damage to my soul. But when I focus on what is invaluable, consistent, helpful, and recharging, I am able to stop worrying about that teeny bit of remaining weed. What makes the difference is that my trust in you, my faith in your mighty power and my desire and ability to pray for my weakness is enough to help me through trials, doubts, fears or self wondering.

As I labored to clear my meditative garden of clutter, I prayed for my own soul's garden, calling upon you to keep my eyes upon your divine presence.

You are
most high,
a sacred mystery
in my life,
Gracious God.
You hold
eternity's love power
that dissolves
the weeds
that collect
in my soul.
As I
open my spirit
more and more
to you,
Mighty One,
I am freed
from hanging on
to weeds
that want
to destroy
what is
beautifully made
by you.
Keep my eyes
on heaven,
Precious Friend;
may your light
hold my focus
now and forever,
I pray.

Love, Andrea