Monday, July 20, 2009

Digging up roots of sin


Roots of sin, allowed to flourish, will take over the life of a child.

As I look at each of my children, I often see their lives as a garden. They each are beautiful in their own unique and special ways, God's workmanship. But, I also see the weeds of sin that can so easily take root. The Word says that we are all born into sin. The roots are their from birth, however, most Christ following parents, see these roots early on and begin uprooting. Children in orphanages/institutions do not have this same care. Roots of sin are allowed to grow and flourish and eventually take over their lives. Anyone who has ever worked in the garden knows that young/small weeds are easy to pull up, especially with a little watering or after a rain. I liken this to our children that we have had from birth. They are being prayed for and washed in the Word so that the 'weeds' can be easily uprooted. On the other hand, our children that come to us by way of adoption have been allowed to live in sin, their roots run deep. It is our ministry as parents to begin the process of uprooting. Again, as a gardener, we know that weeds that have been able to grow and take root are much harder to pull up. We have to water them, let them soak, dig and labor to pull them out. There are some weeds that seems so deep and so hard to uproot that we just pull off the top portion, leaving the roots to flourish until it becomes a full grown weed again. The Bible speaks of what happens to a child left to his own, "he comes to ruin." So it is with a garden without a gardener, the weeds take over and the garden becomes 'ruined.' We are God's tool to remove the weeds of sin in the lives of our children. Yes, some seem impossible to uproot. I have noticed that my children that spent a longer time at an orphanage have stronger roots of sin--but it is because those weeds were not dealt with when they were small. These weeds just need more watering, more soaking and more labor. We have been given all things for life and godliness in Christ Jesus (2 Peter 1:3). He has equipped us with every tool needed to tend to our "gardens" (2 Timothy 3:17). I am firmly against labels that are placed on institutionalized children. Yes, I do believe that they are affected by the lack of love and nurturing, however, often times their behavior is a direct result of an untended "garden." Roots of sin have been allowed to flourish. We need to get our hands dirty and start digging! And in the place of the uprooted weeds let us plant seeds of righteousness.

11 comments:

Shonni said...

That is really good! I love the verses also. It is so true and a reminder for me to be vigilant in nurturing and training my children. They will become so weak if I don't do my "gardening" well right now!

Shauna said...

Thank you for that encouraging word.

Adeye said...

woohoo---you preach it like it is, sister!!!! Be their voice. I love it.

"Are These Kids All Yours?" said...

That is a great visual! True as well.

Tina said...

Amen!!! This is exactly my experience and feelings about my kids who were adopted as older children.It is so worth the effort and hard work.They are now teenagers and we are seeing the fruit of our labors.

Leah said...

My friend just led me to your blog. The Lord bless you! Your words have encouraged me so much as I tend to my own little garden here in Wheaton, IL...I long to adopt orphans. My husband is not there yet. Please pray for Joe. (could you throw his name in there when you're pleading with the Lord to raise up his church to adopt the little orphans?) Please keep the "keepin' it real" stuff in your blog. I am so encouraged to know that other women who passionately desire the Christ-life STILL struggle with sin and failure as mothers...xoxoxox in Christ,
Leah Becker

durangodream@msn.com said...

What a privilege it was to visit! The peace and abounding joy of the Lord was within the walls of your home as well as the church. The precious worship of the youth, your extraordinary garden,amazing Christian fellowship just walking the nearby neighborhoods.My heart breaks daily for the children that are still hopeful for a loving family with their eyes toward Heaven and laughter in their hearts. Keep up the good work and sharing the unforgettable experience of Uganda. May blessings abound and the favor of the Lord be among you.

simmie flock said...

Wow...LOVE the reference to how much more easily a weed will come out if it's watered first!! I use the "garden" and "weeds" analogy ALL the time (my poor kids must be so tired of it by now), but never once have I put "watering a weed to make it come out easier" and God's word as Living Water over our children as the same. AWESOME!!! Finally, the next time the "garden" story comes up with the kids, there will be a twist to it! :)

And it also made me think about when we discipline the kids and the rod of correction is involved, how much better and more understanding they are and more repentive they are when we use The Word FIRST and do the physical only after they've been 'watered'.

Some times the patience of us as their parents is so small that we end up using the rod first and showering them in the Word after the fact. :( So I LOVE the reminder and awesome way of visualizing it as watering the weed so it'll come out easier!

We've also told the kids from the get-go that when they receive the rod it's helping to loosen "the bad seed" (whatever the child happens to be struggling with in that situation) from their heart and will one day knock it out completely.

So now when they're being disciplined with the rod they'll often say something to the effect of "Hopefully this bad seed has been loosened enough and this will be the time it comes out!" Ah, the precious hearts and minds of God's children...

So precious....such a tremendously humble calling to raise His children for Him and in His ways.

Again, I'm just so THANKFUL for that new visual!!! :)

Gary and Michelle said...

Very well said

Michelle

Anonymous said...

Digging for Christ...I like the ring of that... :P

mary k said...

Thank you for allowing God to speak through your writings. Again, you have stated it so very well - with the perfect picture image. Yes, weed we must - some less, some more - may we always be diligent daily to see, water, loosen and weed - and PLANT the good seed of the Word of God in their hearts!