Nasty Garden Bugs

It started with the strawberries. Lots of holes in the leaves. I'm a haphazard gardener so it took me a while to find out who the culprit was this year. At first I suspected the baby bunnies. We have rabbit fencing around our garden, and the big bunnies can't get in. But I've seen the mommy bunnies sit outside and send their baby bunnies in through the smallest of holes to chomp my peas and beans to nothingness.

But on a sunny day when I was weeding and wondering why the strawberries were such a mess, I spotted them. Nasty red bugs. Everywhere. Huddled in masses. Destroying my Granny's rose bush, my strawberries, and everything else in their path.

Being an organic type, I squashed as many as I could before they scurried away out of sight. But there were too many for me.

What made this battle particularly poignant for me (besides the fact that I won't be canning any strawberry jam from the garden this year) was that I've had some nasty garden bugs chomping at my spirit lately, too.

It started small. Wanting my book to sell well. Not an evil desire. After all, God called me to write the book, opened the doors for it, and wanted people to read it, right? But soon more little bugs gathered. Wanting my book to sell better than others. Worry that it's not doing well enough. Craving approval from people. Obsessing over its ranking. Tiny bugs of idolatry. Sin.

Yes, sin. It's not a popular word. But when I take my eyes off my Savior, that's where my fallen nature take me. Self-centered, anxious, distracted, unavailable for God's changes of direction--chewed up by nasty bugs. The bugs in the garden reminded me of how ugly sin is.

And as in my strawberry patch, the infestation is beyond my ability to squash.

But the good news is, it's not too much for God. His sunlight reveals the pests. His forgiveness wipes them out. Completely. And soon He can bear fruit through my life again.

Jam, anyone?

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Have a wonderful week! I'm heading to the International Christian Retail Show this weekend in Denver, followed by a brief family vacation. When I return, I'll send out my monthly e-zine with some AWESOME and THRILLING news. If you don't receive my Book Buddy e-zine, you can sign up at my website.