"He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame." Proverbs 10:5
Busy Busy Summer:
So the last time I posted.... was over a month ago! I am beginning to understand why school is September through May. Haha! This summer, as you may recall from my previous post, I started to do lots of gardening. I absolutely love it! We have been enjoying all that God has given us, but it has also kept me quite busy. I've had to spend time watering it, digging up the weeds, then harvesting and preserving the bounty! :)
Gardening isn't the only thing that has taken up my time from blogging, I have also been very busy with family activities/outings and enjoying the summer sun/holidays! :) Lastly, I have decided to try and read 5 books for my local library reading program. I have learned many things about gardening, being a locavore, and building a creative home. :)
Bindweed (aka Wild Morning Glory):
Last year, when we moved in to this duplex, my neighbor suggested to me that I get rid of the Bindweed. She told me that it would overtake my backyard. At the time, I didn't do what she suggested (plus I thought it was a pretty plant)....... and it took over the whole hill that goes across my backyard and COMPLETELY covered every plant down there! At the beginning of this summer, I began to destroy that monster of a plant. UGH! It's hard work to get rid of it!
Well, I made an awful mistake. We didn't have the yard waste disposal yet, and I allowed this thing to sit in a waste bin and even laid some on the ground on my lawn....... BIG mistake. My husband, this past week, mowed our lawn.... guess what I discovered? In those few weeks, it had covered a good portion of the lawn as well!
Bindweed doesn't just cover the surface, it grows underneath up to 30 feet in length! Now, daily I am pulling up vines of this stuff.... Daily, I am trying to keep it from growing more and invading more of my lawn!! FRUSTRATING!
A Need for a Pastor/Godly Wise Counsel:
I wish I would have listened to my neighbor's counsel. I wish I would have sought advice from someone who knew gardening and had knowledge of Northwest plants! I wish I would have been taught in gardening/weeds so I could have avoided this costly mistake!
"Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning." Proverbs 9:9
Now, I know, that a pastor does many things, including fulfilling the great commission, but he is also there to give wise spiritual counsel. A pastor has dedicated his life to the ministry of obeying God, loving/serving others, and leading people to Christ. When he preaches, it's not just to lead others to Christ... He also is showing us what to do with the "Awful Bindweed in Your Garden". God gave us pastors to protect us from things that can harm the good in our lives and destroy everything of beauty! He can tell you: "Watch out! This will cost you a headache, frustration, and loads of problems!" Pastors can help give us instructions on how to better use our talents for the Lord; similarly, a good knowledgeable gardener can show me how to grow healthy and fruitful herbs and veggies.
Last thought: remember, I didn't listen..... and it cost me. Not listening or taking the advice of our spiritual leaders can lead us into some problems. Let's listen to our parents and pastor. Heed the counsel and warnings of our God-given authority and we will reap the benefits/avoid those pesky "bindweeds"!
"The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall." Proverbs 10:8
Remember:
A experienced and seasoned gardener can teach me how to have a successful and sustaining gardening; in the same way, Pastors, godly leaders, and godly wise women (maybe a pastor's wife or an elderly lady in the church) can help us to make the right decisions and reap an abundant Christian life. :)
