Our Minds are Like Gardens

“The Lord, the Lord, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity.” Moses at once bowed down to the ground in worship. Then he said, “If I find favor with you, O Lord, do come along in our company. This is indeed a stiff-necked people; yet pardon our wickedness and sins, and receive us as your own.” 

Exodus 34:6-9

I think we should always try to find ways to be fascinated by God and His love for us. Let us not be content to be complacent, and take for granted this marvelous gift God has given us, and continues to bestow on us. His love is a miracle! How can God love us, when sometimes it is so hard to love ourselves or others? Long ago, Moses had to stand in the breach for the Jews, asking God to forgive their wickedness and sin.

People can be so wicked, and can be such animals sometimes! Just yesterday morning I heard that a 15 year old boy killed his 4 year nephew and then hid the body inside a washing machine! What could he have been thinking? Feeling? Is it really because this young man avidly watched the series of Jeffery Dahmer, the American serial killer and sex offender? 

Let us think of our minds as gardens that we tend. Let us be mindful of what seeds we plant, and take care to remove the weeds that grow so fast. We have an enemy that wants to destroy us, think 1 Peter 5:8 (“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”) and the parable of the weeds in Matthew 13:24-43. Instead, let us ponder on “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy” as St. Paul affectionately writes the people of Philippi (4:8).