The Asparagus Fern Revisited
2 years ago, I wrote about the Asparagus Fern in my flower bed, people still comment on the post. I updated the post over the weekend for a friend's newsletter. Following is the updated version:
In 2008 my father was very ill and began the year in the hospital where he remained for 5 1/2 months. As a result of the hospitalization, I did not get to the big spring lawn clean up that year. All the shrubs needed pruning, weeds needed pulling, and summer annuals needed planting.
An asparagus fern had popped up in one of my flower beds. It had to go, it was taking up valuable space which had a Black Eyed Susan's name all over it. I'd left it alone during the winter because birds could eat the red berries on it, but it was Memorial weekend and the thing was going to pulled up by the roots and discarded. I trimmed it back, dug the ground around it, and began to pull but could not remove all of it. The asparagus fern was established. In desparation I drove to a local hardware store and purchased Round Up.
I sprayed the asparagus fern and waited for it to wither. I checked it daily, it was beginning to die. I thought alright next week, it is history. My father was back in the hospital and I didn't work in the yard for 2 more weeks. I went out 1 morning to dig up the remains of the asparagus fern and there it was thriving, green and almost as big as it was before I cut it back. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry and decided to leave it there. (I even fertilized it as an apology.)
I realized it had deep roots and that is how we need to plant the Word of God in our spirits. We must plant it deep and be rooted and grounded in His Word. Following are a few Bible verses pertaining to the Word:
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.
Jesus replied, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it."
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.
In 2009, the asparagus fern survived Hurricane IKE, in 2010 it survived 3 days of 20 degree temperatures because the roots are deep. Planting the Word deep is vital to our spiritual lives and beneficial in many ways - our feet are shod with the shoes of peace as mentioned in Ephesians 6, we can draw on the Word hidden in our hearts when we are facing a tough situation, it brings discernment when we need it.
Plant the Word of God, it is vital...
In 2008 my father was very ill and began the year in the hospital where he remained for 5 1/2 months. As a result of the hospitalization, I did not get to the big spring lawn clean up that year. All the shrubs needed pruning, weeds needed pulling, and summer annuals needed planting.
An asparagus fern had popped up in one of my flower beds. It had to go, it was taking up valuable space which had a Black Eyed Susan's name all over it. I'd left it alone during the winter because birds could eat the red berries on it, but it was Memorial weekend and the thing was going to pulled up by the roots and discarded. I trimmed it back, dug the ground around it, and began to pull but could not remove all of it. The asparagus fern was established. In desparation I drove to a local hardware store and purchased Round Up.
I sprayed the asparagus fern and waited for it to wither. I checked it daily, it was beginning to die. I thought alright next week, it is history. My father was back in the hospital and I didn't work in the yard for 2 more weeks. I went out 1 morning to dig up the remains of the asparagus fern and there it was thriving, green and almost as big as it was before I cut it back. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry and decided to leave it there. (I even fertilized it as an apology.)
I realized it had deep roots and that is how we need to plant the Word of God in our spirits. We must plant it deep and be rooted and grounded in His Word. Following are a few Bible verses pertaining to the Word:
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.
Jesus replied, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it."
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.
In 2009, the asparagus fern survived Hurricane IKE, in 2010 it survived 3 days of 20 degree temperatures because the roots are deep. Planting the Word deep is vital to our spiritual lives and beneficial in many ways - our feet are shod with the shoes of peace as mentioned in Ephesians 6, we can draw on the Word hidden in our hearts when we are facing a tough situation, it brings discernment when we need it.
Plant the Word of God, it is vital...
Comments
Thank you for reminding me through your Asparagus Fern and the the Love for your earthly father how deep THE WORD of the LORD must be planted in my HEART.
Grace and Peace. This is a Song I must Sing. Sylvia