As I watch my dog joyfully leap through the overgrown weeds in my backyard; I realize that regardless of the junk in front of him and the struggle to move from one end of the yard to the next, he’s chosen to have fun. He is blissfully unaware that it could be better. It made me think. How many of us are choosing to be joyful among the weeds, unaware that life could be better? Or how many are aware of the maintenance that needs to be done, yet choose to remain stuck because they fear the work will be too much?

Looking at my neglected yard, I see the issues in my own heart. Emotions and hurts that have been neglected, therefore becoming piled one on top of the other, till I can hardly move to .

While my dog cannot take care of the issue of the weeds himself, he’s choosing to live with joy among them. I am not my dog. I have access to the lawn mower, I can help him clear the yuck away and live freely; able to move from one side to the next without struggle. I can also help mow away my own hurts and emotions that have been neglected. I’ve chosen to live among the weeds. I’ve chosen to ignore the hurt.

Now that I’m aware of the weeds in myself, what am I going to do? Right now, I lay down, praying I won’t be seen; allowing fear to continue to grow. While in my heart, I hear the subtle cry…for the weed eater…