Friday 17 April 2009

Weeds

I got this reminder from Olde Dame Penni today.
People think of weeds as "no good," as ssomething bad, as something not to be thankful for, as useless. But God has such a different view. We would have no butterflies if not for weeds. We would have no bees, no crops, not much of anything. Thank you for the weeds!

Weeds in my garden and life irritate me so much. But they are essential for me. Weeds keep me at the grassroots level ,as we say in India - and pulling them out keeps me humble.

Thank you for buoying me up with your prayers , encouraging words and emails. Mom is so much better. I am focusing on her needs rather than satisfying my "mother hen instincts". The lessons I have learnt through this are

a)" God has not given us a spirit of fear,but of power,love and of a sound mind" 2 Timothy 1:7 (New Testament)

b)" in everything give thanks for this is God 's will for you in Christ Jesus" 1 Thessalonians 5;18 (New Testament)

God sky-writes His messages on the horizon of our lives through life circumstances.

The 2 above lessons put on flesh and blood in the lives of the Ten Booms, a Dutch family who sheltered Jews during Hitler 's Holocaust and paid dearly for it when they were discovered by the Gestapo. Read this true story in the book "The Hiding Place" Read it out to your children. Watch the movie together.









13 Fertilize my soul:

Maria Stahl said...

Your comment on weeds reminds me of something that an elderly gentleman farmer told me once: While most people groan about dandelions popping up in their yards before anything else in the springtime, he rejoices, because they provide food for the hungry honeybees as they wake up their hive and start the year's cycle. Were it not for dandelions, the bee larvae would starve. I have never looked at dandelions the same since.

Olde Dame Penniwig said...

I am so glad your mother is much better! We love them so much that it's easy to get upset when they barely eat or drink.

The ten Booms were so amazing...

Sherri Murphy said...

Glad your mother is doing better.

I love your words about the weeds, and I love Corrie Ten Boom and her writings.

Thank you and God BLess you and your family.

Felisol said...

Dear Amrita,
I'm grateful that your mother is getting better, and even more that you are not so worn yourself.
Oh, I wish you could have some time to enjoy yourself.

Weeds, I do not spend that much energy on them anymore.
My daughter has always come home with dandelions to place in on the kitchen table.
So also this Easter. They are shining like yellow suns, a true sign of spring.

I have a Corrie Ten Boom calendar and have read her books.
Never came to think she could be on YouTube.
What a beautiful instrument.
From Felisol

Kathryn said...

Thank you for the comment on weeds. Dandelion greens are very good for you, as well.

I'm glad your mama is doing better.

Thank you too, for the reminder of Corie Ten Boom. It's been years since i read her book, but it is always a good reminder. In fact, it especially speaks to my heart today.

Thank you.

Annie K said...

I remember reading the Hiding Place as a child and being fascinated by her faith. My parents actually visited her home on one of their Europe travels.

I'm glad to hear your mom is doing better and it sounds as if you are also. You have been in my prayers! If you need a good laugh, head over to my blog and watch my crazy dog chasing imaginary cats! ;)

Carol-Ann Allen said...

Hi Amrita!
Our ground of commonality these days elder care! Thanks for your comment today! Love ya! C-A

Mel Avila Alarilla said...

Such a very inspiring post. Yes, weeds are the trials we face each day as we walk through this pilgrim's world. God gives us weeds to pull out from the soil so that our fruits will come out bountifully. Thanks for the inspiring post. God bless you always.

monsoon dreams said...

yes dear,i too am learning my lessons thru suffering.God knows what is best for us.i'm glad that mom is much better:-)

Dick said...

Coorie ten Boom was Dutch and her house is a museum now.
Interesting post.

Joseph Pulikotil said...

Hi Amrita :)

Very interesting and inspiring post. Every thing in this world serves a purpose and your post is a strong reminder of this.

I am glad your mother is getting well and you are focusing on her needs and not her instincts.My prayers are with you and your mother for complete recovery.

Many thanks for sharing the movies.

Have a nice day:)
Joseph

Amrita said...

My dear friends thanks for your comments and your good wishes.

Felisol my dear, I really wish I could get away sometimes, but its not so easy.I wanted to go to a music concert this evening but I 'm glad I didn 't as our area lights went out!

Amrita said...

I want to add that the Ten Boom family has had a great influence on my life. I have some of Corrie 's books. I have seen the movie. And when I was little she visited our city and spoke at the seminary . We attended her meeting . And I recall she taught us a song...what it was I now don 't remember,I must have been 9 or 10 at that time. But I do picture her speaking sitting on a chair.