but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
What Is It?
One of the most important tasks in gardening is deadheading. If you aren’t familiar with that term, it simply means removing the flowers from a plant when they are past their prime and before they set seed. The purpose is to direct the energy of the plant into producing more blooms instead of seed. That’s why we grow flowers, isn’t it?
A Morning Well Spent
I listen to a podcast from England called “Gardeners World”. I also watch their television program on BritBox. Their suggestion is to take your gin and tonic or tea to the garden to do the task of deadheading. Our version would be coffee or a beer! I could deadhead for quite a relaxed while with a good stout in my hand. Their broadcasts allow me to garden vicariously in England, because the climate of Western Kansas certainly is completely opposite to the garden isle. It amuses me when they say to water the garden if it becomes a drought and doesn’t rain for a week!
Redirect Energy
There are times when I’m not blooming well, and my thoughts and actions are spent and need to be removed. I am not very efficient in deadheading the used-up parts of my life. They kind of hang around and continue to use up my energy. Why? Because I allow it. So, how do we remove those things which prevent us from continuing to bloom?
Ephesians 4:22-33 states the following:
22 Put off your old nature which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and put on the new nature, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
Putting off our old nature does not come easily. There are times when I go for days without seriously reaching Up for help. Asking for God to wash over us with His Grace, wholly undeserved, is the one method which can refresh us and perhaps start us on the path to renewal. Finding a daily strength in His Word is also crucial. This process never ends, and we must keep that in mind in order to not become discouraged. But! When we can remove one overused, old, unnecessary part/habit/thought of ours occasionally, we have a chance for refreshment and renewal if we keep our hearts and minds open. Just pray, study, and picture yourself covered with beautiful new blossoms! And don’t forget to remember that deadheading is a constant process in the garden of our lives.
The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand for ever.
I needed this today. Thank you
Love you!