Bill and I were doing a bit of fall cleanup and I got thinking about my first blog, Grass or Weed, written September 8, 2006.  Today, enjoy a shortened version of my first blog.

Friday, September 08, 2006

INTRODUCTION

Mary’s Moments started at a church committee meeting. If you just emitted a groan, I know you are a committee member.  At this particular meeting, it was brought to our attention that the weekly church paper could use some articles.  The next question was, “Who would be willing to help?”

If you are a true committee member, you know how many hands went up.  Did you guess zero? Bingo!  Everyone looked up to the ceiling or doodled on any available paper.  Would no one step up?

Someone said, “Okay. Okay. I will write a monthly article. I will write Mary’s Moments.  Will that help?”  All of a sudden I realized the someone who just spoke up was me.  Mary’s Moments was born.

My goal is to give you encouragement in your faith, help for each day and the realization that we all have shared experiences.  I also hope to give you a smile and will make you feel better about this world and the people in it.

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TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.        James 1:12

GRASS OR WEED?

As I stood looking out at Bill mowing off the weeds, I got to thinking about the dry brown grass and the tall green weeds.  Which would I rather be:  Grass or weeds?  The grass, when we have rain, is so green and soft under foot.  Everybody likes grass.  It is just right for wiggling toes in or laying a baby on while they nap.  Now it is dry.  And brown.  And does not feel good to bare toes.  When the rain comes, it will turn green again.  It is just waiting to be nourished.

The weeds seem to be doing just fine without the much-needed rain.  They are still growing.  They are still green.  No one likes weeds, but there they are.  In the flowerbed.  In the yard.  In the garden.  In the corn and soybeans.  Why do they do so well when everything else seems to suffer in the heat and drought?

Guess the grass and weeds are a lot like people.  Some people face hard times like the grass.  They do not have a reserve of strength or strong roots to support them.  Some people just wait for trouble to blow over.  They wait for the “rain” to come to them.

Other people are like the weeds.  They are strong in the good times, when they are well fed and watered.  BUT – they are also strong when the times are hard.  They find an inner strength to stand up to the heat and they have roots to reach down for the water.

Yes, I think I want to be a weed.  I want a faith that keeps me strong when times are good.  BUT -- more importantly, I want a faith that can stand up to the heat and a faith with roots that will draw up the help I need when my body or soul may be dry.