Weeds and rants …

It always sneaks up on me. I look at those flower beds and they look like just a few weeds need to be pulled. Six inches of rain mixed with plenty of sun and those few weeds multiplied. In the middle of a number of projects I am trying to get some seeds in the ground – Thanks to Micah and Kristen.

Working in the yard always gives me time to think. Sometimes flashes of inspiration long for my Moleskine. Other occasions bring notions worth ranting about. This evening’s weed pulling conjured a rant. You would think weeds would always lead to rants.

Ideally when I pull weeds in the spring I want them never to return. I have put forth the effort. Taken time from other things I would much rather be doing. Pulling these pesky plants up by the roots should certainly put an end to their return. Remnants remain. If I give into my idealism I would immediately quit pulling weeds. In fact, I would pull the flowers, not plant the vegetables and throw grass seed in its place. Why bother? Forget the beauty of the flowers and the flavor of those home grown vegetables. These kinds of thoughts remind me of babies and bathwater. But, I have it in my mind it should be this way. Nothing can change my mind.

My mind soon wandered to the connections with what I do – pastor. A recent series of posts have gone around the blogs I read. John Frye kicked it off with a post titled – The People Formerly Known As the Pastor (TPFKA"TP"). Too many could identify with much of what John wrote. His friend Mark and I have had conversations about their time in ministry together. Jason noted the sentiment of this post was why he was "ready to leave." Undoubtedly he is not alone.

Personally something gnaws at me. Thinking through the many points of agreement with John’s post left me thinking there is something more going on. I  often wonder if my tendency to temper my own idealism reveals something of a softness or a desire to "protect" myself. I want to think the one thing that keeps me from bailing beyond the sense of doing what I am "called to" is the realization many of we are who pastor cannot ignore our own complicity in the situation. Bailing often leads to an us vs. them blame sort of game.

Today I was sent a link to a new twist on the series of TPFKATP and TPFKATC. John gives us some thoughts from Dan who is working on getting his own blog. John notes on his blog an interest in encouraging and mentoring young pastors. The balance he offers even when much of his original post represents his own personal experiences gives me hope one day we will all return to stumbling together rather than assuming anyone has arrived at just the right place.

If it does not rain tomorrow evening, I will be back out pulling weeds …

About the Author
Husband to Patty. Daddy to Kimberly and Tommie. Grandpa Doc to Cohen, Max, Fox, and Marlee. Pastor to Snow Hill Baptist Church. Graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Reading. Photography. Golf. Colorado. Jeeping. Friend. The views and opinions expressed here are my own and should not be construed as representing the corporate views of the church I pastor.

3 comments on “Weeds and rants …

  1. Sheri says:

    I know this doesn’t go along with all you are addressing but maybe you will understand and help. When you speak of the weeds I think of the scripture weeds in the wheat and my mom and dad.They are SDA’s and I am having loads of trouble with that,I want to pull all those weeds but I don’t want to kill the flowers of Christ that 10years ago they never even had, do you understand. I know all the scriptures that talk about law bs grace, but it is still hard

    1. Sheri,
      I understand your comment. Particularly, what weeds would you prefer to pull. The weeds and the wheat is an interesting reference. Often the picture is having all the appearances of what we claim but no substance. Are there some particular things you would like to discuss?

  2. Sheri says:

    I don’t understand how people can only take parts of the bible but not all. The spirit revealed something new to me re: Jews Vs Gentiles. I never realized the difference before. I understand the gospel was given to us , we are grafted etc. But for my parents to feel they must observe the law and rules to be worthy……and I read on the SDA website they believe all that worship on sunday are going to he’ll…. What’s up with that????? The bible says not to be known by the day of the week, sabbath,moon etc… Ok I feel better now thanks for letting me vent and of course I appreciate any brotherly advice

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