I am a subpar gardener.
One thing I thoroughly enjoy, however, is ripping out the dead plants which have failed to produce in order to make space for the healthy new crop. I love the feel of the naked dirt, waiting to be tilled again, welcoming the new little plant, healthy and green. I have no sense of remorse or sadness. If they aren’t producing, they must go.
I wish I had the same discipline in the rest of my life; to have the ability to step away from unproductive relationships, habits, hobbies, or work.
We all need to have recreation and rest, but what we do during that time should be productive in healing us, in filling us, in restoring us. Our friendships should lead us to be better daughters of Christ. Our activities should help us grow in virtue. Our work should give us the opportunity to use God’s gifts. Our rest should be nourishing, not mere distraction.
What do I need to pull out of my life? What do I need to plant, water, and nurture?
If every tree is known by its fruit (Luke 6:44) as we hear in today's Gospel, what type of a tree am I? Am I dormant or am I producing fruit? Do I need a little more water, sunlight, or nutrients? How can I change my life to be more productive, to produce more of the fruit that is expected of me?
If you have found yourself stagnant, I encourage you to start to change, to uproot those things that are keeping you from growing in the Lord. Feed yourself with His Scripture, surround yourself with people who glow with His light, and water yourself with the Sacraments.
Roll up your sleeves and grab a fist full of dirt.
It is messy work, but the fruit that comes from it is the sweetest fruit of all.
Glow with His light. // @maryruthhackettClick to tweet
Lord Jesus, help me uproot the things that need to be uprooted.
Dr. Mary Ruth Hackett is a writer, national speaker, and podcast host covering topics in psychology and faith. She holds a PhD in Educational Psychology and works at the important intersection of faith and developmental science, blending them in the original harmony God intended. Dr. Mary Ruth is the author of Daughter by Design: Discovering Your Identity as God's Beloved Daughter, and co-coauthor of Spiritual Discernment for Beginners: Learning to Hear God and Defeat the Lies of the Enemy. She is a contributing author to All She Had and our children’s devotional prayer book called Rise Up. Find out more about her here.
Walk With Us this Advent
Get Your Prayerful Planner
