The Rumor Weed

We are a Veggie Tales family... well, from way back when the kids were young.  Their favorite present for a birthday or for Christmas in those days was a new Veggie Tales video. (Yes, that's video versus DVD!)  The kids are entering adulthood these days. And, a great present for ME would be all those episodes on DVD - possibly for future grandchildren but, definitely for me too!

The other day my "little" girl (okay, my young adult girl) & I were strolling along the side of the house. We were checking the progress of lilac bushes, the lilies left from the former owner which were given to her by her children, the bulbs we planted a few years back & the vinca that is so beautiful in bloom but, a bit intrusive. All of a sudden she cried out, "Oh my goodness! It's the Rumor Weed!"  Yes, alongside the soon to be blooming irises was a huge, thorny weed reaching to the sun :/ And, my mind immediately went back the Veggie Tales days & the story of the Rumor Weed.
  

How am I to deal with these horrible weeds overtaking our property this year?  They seem to be popping up in every single plant bed!  What's up with that?  Where did they come from?  What's the easiest way to get rid of them?

• I was told that boiling water poured directly on the huge weed would kill it to the core.  I tried it... it didn't really work.
• I was told to pour vinegar directly on the week to kill it.  I tried it... it didn't work.

Since I was a young child, I remember my mom telling me that if you don't get the entire root out, that most weeds will continue to come back up.  But, getting the entire root out is easier said than done. You usually have to use a long digging implement.  Sometimes you have to moisten the surrounding ground. However, they still tend to break off - leaving some of the root in the ground... for another day :/

"Rumor weeds" and rumors are a lot alike!  The Bible, in Proverbs 18:8, tells us that:

"Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one's heart."

Rumors seem to SINK deep down pretty quickly, taking root securely, and making extraction difficult at best.  So, what are the solutions?

• Don't start them at all.  Watch your garden for early signs. Watch your thoughts & speech for early signs of wanting to "share" something that shouldn't be shared or said.
• Get rid of them as quickly as possible. Be vigilant about check your garden & your life for the start & cultivations of rumors.
• When you see one - get rid of it immediately.  Put a stop to rumors you hear. 

Like Larry Boy taught my children when they were young & reminded me as an adult, words have a lot of power!  Choose & share them carefully! 

Happy 420

Oh, if I'd only planned ahead so that I sent this today at 4:20am or 4:20pm, that would have made me giggle :)  But, alas, there are many irons in the fire...

I have several things on my mind this late afternoon. It's been a full day & a full week.  Come to think of it, my life feels really FULL lately.  But, one thing that’s been on my mind off & on all day is that today, April 20 aka 04/20, is “National Weed Day.” 

Today many people (young & not-so-young) are celebrating the use of a controversial, yet ILLEGAL, drug in most of the US - marijuana. The social media world is full of references to 420. People are talking about how they are celebrating the day.. how the government & law enforcement agencies are controlling our lives… and so on. They're wishing each other "Happy 420" and getting together to celebrate the day.

In this blog, I have committed to be honest about my feelings & convictions.  I speak at the stirring of my heart. And, I have decided that if I must chose some meaning to attach to the “420” thing today, it’s going to be one of hope & encouragement:

 Deuteronomy 4:20:

“Remember that the LORD rescued you from the iron-smelting furnace of Egypt

in order to make you his very own people and his special possession,

which is what you are today.” 

 

Now, that’s my kind of 420 – God’s very own special possession.  

The weeds I'm celebrating today are the weeds (okay, wild flowers - but, the LOML calls them weeds) coming up along my worn wooden fence.  They will be full of gorgeous yellow, pink & purple blooms in the coming weeks & months.