Weeds, Wisdom, and Wisteria

I love a lush green manicured square privet hedge. We always had privet hedges growing up. And our first house as a young married couple had a privet hedge in the back yard. At least that is what Mike told me it was. It was not like any privet hedge I had seen. If was a thick mess of thorny tangled jungle like bushes that were as tall as trees. It was in chaotic shambles. And we were determined to clean it out and restore it.

I didn't complain about the work. I was too busy complaining to God. While pulling out weeds and ivy vines and thorny branches of some parasitic plant, I was asking God "Why can't I hear your Voice clearly. Why do I still struggle with so many issues. I thought you would have healed me by now of the mess in my mind. When will I be fixed?"

During this very one sided conversation - still pulling weeds - I caught an aroma of something delicious. But just a brief whiff. Then I smelt it again. It was delightful. I put more of my face in the hedge now that my hands. It was  pungent and strong but wonderful. As I pulled the overgrowth back to find the source of this lovely permeating aroma, I caught a glimpse of color. Deeper into this thorny mess was a hint of purple color. I had to retrieve it! As I pulled and tore away these invasive choking plants finally I had it in my hand. One delicate beautiful wisteria bloom. I put the entire flower too my face and inhaled deeply of the intoxicating sweetness.

It was then that the Voice I had been seeking spoke to my heart and my mind. "This is you. You are this exquisite bloom. But years of the world, choices, philosophies, substances, voices, and wrong thinking bound you and choked you and prevented you from all I intended you to be. Now I am doing a new thing. I am removing. I am restoring. But it will not happen in a single moment. It will happen day after day as you meet with Me in my Word. I will wash and prune and cultivate and grow you there"

As I think about that moment I am reminded of the Goodness and Mercy of God. 25 years later He is still lovingly cultivating this garden. 

Wisteria reminds me that I am beautiful and strong and worth restoring. And so are you.