Pastor Ron Burcham, Risen Savior Lutheran Church

I have a small patch of grass in my backyard. When we first moved into our home, I thought even I can take care of that small of a lawn. Foolish of me. Really I should have looked around for a lawn maintenance firm similar to www.jeremiahslandscapeservices.com. Some people love to putter around the yard trimming bushes, planting flowers and trimming the lush green grass. I like rocks. Rocks are low maintenance requiring an occasional resupply or a light raking. Side note, when I tell my Midwest friends and family that I was out raking the rocks, they give me the strangest look. This is followed by a telling glance at another family member that seems to be saying, “I think Ron has been in the sun too long!” Anyway, you have picked up on the fact that I am not very good at yardwork. Well, after enduring four years of my feeble attempt to care for it, my small patch of grass surrendered and let the invading weeds occupy my lawn. At first, it was a hostile takeover by the weeds, but in the end, my grass just laughed at the weeds and said, “Good luck!”

Humiliated at the site of where I once had grass, I reached out to an expert. He graciously came over to my house to survey the damage. Being very kind, he said, “It’s not as bad as you think. Trim it up a bit and then put this fertilizer on. Your grass simply needs the right nutrients and will come right back.” Grateful and somewhat skeptical, I trimmed up the weeds and applied the fertilizer. The next day, I went out back and … nothing had changed. I am not a patient person. Within a week, the weeds were retreating and the grass was greening up. After two weeks, the entire patch was green and lush once again! Today, my small patch of grass looks the best it has since we moved in. It just needed the right nutrients!

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:31-32)

Do we want to get rid of the weeds of bitterness, anger, slander and the hurt that we inflict on one another? Then we need to sow the right nutrients – kindness, compassion and forgiveness. Imagine with me, as hard as it may seem, if our elected leaders would show some kindness, compassion and forgiveness to one another. They could stand by their principles, but I suspect much more would be accomplished. Imagine what would happen in your relationships if you sowed these key nutrients – the neighbor you are at war with or the family member you haven’t spoken to in years.

You will be amazed at what can happen if the right nutrients are given to the lawn and to our relationships.