The parable of the dandelion

Spring is officially in full bloom here in Minnesota and we can't be happier. The rainstorms we've had have turned our brown and barren wilderness into a luscious green forest. Bulbs are starting to bloom and eggs are hatching. We found this robin's nest in our backyard and are anxious to see these new little ones.

To welcome the new life we've had to get rid of the old growth from last year. Our yard was once beautifully landscaped but has been neglected by previous owners. Kurtis and I are trying to tame the weeds and saplings that are out of control in our yard. We've put down weed killer but it seems that it was more fertilizer then killer. So Kurtis has 'lawn envy' of our neighbors with the pristine emerald lawns free of the dreaded dandelion. He found a weed puller the other day at a garage sale and got the idea he'd just attack them head on, one by one. Well, he did the corner of the lawn and after the first 100..he was overwhelmed. There are just too many.

This made me reflect on my life and how I let my guard down and allow places for 'weeds' to grow. Weeds of selfishness, pride, carelessness, neglect, etc. You never hear of just 1 weed either, you hear of many weeds! If you don't take care of them right away, you have an overwhelming amount. To get rid of them you've got to pull them out, one by one and make sure to get the root (which are stubbornly long!) so they don't grow back. You must also fortify yourself against future weeds and continue to watch for newcomers so you can pluck them out immediately. I learned a profound lesson that day that I need to be more of an active weeder in the garden of my life so I'm not overwhelmed (and worried!) at the Judgement Day. I'm so grateful for my Savior and His Atonement. Without which, we could not free ourselves of these weeds of sin.