Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. (Hebrews 12:1 NLT)

I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. (1 Corinthians 3:6 NKJV)

But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. (Hebrews 13:6)

Sometimes, the Lord keeps repeating a message in our lives that he really wants us to hear!

I recently heard a minister discussing how Christians should "weed and water." He wasn't talking about actual gardening, but was speaking about our spiritual lives. The minister said that we need to water our Christian virtues and to weed out sin — like keeping a well-tended garden.

Reality T.V. programs are popular these days. One I saw recently featured a messy family who just couldn't get their household items organized. A professional organizer gave them some great tips, and straightened them all out by showing them how to sort things. The family had to put their possessions in one of three stacks: trash, donations, or keep for sentimental reasons.

I've enjoyed reading a book lately that is filled with many worth-while ideas. The main gist of the book is all about how we can help others, and by so doing, help ourselves. In a nutshell, the book emphasizes many ways to simplify our lives and clear out a lot of clutter. There are many benefits to be derived from a clutter-free environment.

So I got the message! The book and these other messages inspired me to clean up my act. I have cleaned out junk drawers, have taken loads of stuff to the Goodwill, and have donated things to family and friends who wanted this stuff. I have taken bags of books, and compact discs to the library — they were happy to get them! Amazingly, I have felt very good about ridding myself of no longer needed or used items.

What a good feeling it is to have more space. It's like the old adage "less is more." In addition, others will have an opportunity to read, hear, and wear my recycled stuff.

So I got the message!

Let's also get the spiritual message! Let's not be spiritual pack rats.

Are we holding onto useless guilt, grudges, worry, or anything else that hinders our Christian walks? Let's weed that harmful clutter out! Do we have faith, love, talents, kindness toward others, or anything else that enhances our Christian walks? Then let's water those good qualities and trust God will give the increase! Do we have things in our lives we don't need, but might be a blessing to others? Then let's share those and bless others lives!

Let's keep and nurture in our lives the things that matter.

Let's discard the things that clutter up our lives.

Let's share the good things in our lives with others who can use them, too!

 

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© 2005 Katha Winther. From her book As I Was Saying, all rights reserved.

Title: "Weed, Water, and Share!"
Author: Katha Winther
Publication Date: August 24, 2005

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Katha's small town upbringing in Sherman, Texas was slow paced, with loving parents, lots of down home cooking, and church attendance. Katha graduated from San Diego State University with a degree in English and continued graduate studies in English at Abilene Christian University. Katha was an editor at a publishing company and has done freelance for businesses as well as writing devotional articles for Power for Today. She and her husband have two grown children and a granddaughter. Katha enjoys reading, crocheting, yoga, and singing in groups and as a soloist.

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