What’s Your Motive?

“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23-24 NKJV).

Years of my life went into a little 6-foot flower circle. Why? Because sometimes it takes a while to learn what God is teaching. And, He makes it funny, painful, or both, until we get it.

It started many years ago when we had a large oak removed from the backyard. My goal was to let that area sit for at least a year, so I could plant a beautiful, little flower garden in its spot. Did I mention I have no gardening skills? My Dad is the gardener of the family.

I enlisted Daddy’s help to prepare the area- shoveling, weeding and preparing the dirt for the glorious flower garden to come. Not once, but several times over the years! He’s a very patient man.

After years of failed attempts at planting and lack of maintenance, I finally corralled the area with the help of my husband. I planted a few plants and put a border around it to designate- this area is going to be a flower garden!

In an attempt to get something done, I came across a couple of old seed packets promising beautiful wildflowers. I sprinkled them around on the freshly tilled dirt and waited for glorious colors to pop out of the ground. Then, I waited and waited. No flowers, but lots of “greenery” appeared and the few healthy plants were on the verge of being choked out by the domineering weeds.

My friend, who is an expert gardener said, “You have to get them out!” Yes, my beautiful packets of “expired” seeds were producing a luscious bed of weeds!

It took quite a while to get up the courage to go out there with a shovel, gloves and other protective gear, fearing a snake might have settled in the midst of the “jungle.” Eventually, it was cleared out and I started again.

Over the years, I never stopped to think about why I was forcing myself to do something my heart was not into. I loved the idea of a bright, spring garden. But I wasn’t willing to put in the work needed to create and maintain it. The tiniest distractions- bugs, reptiles, itchy grass, the weather (cold, hot, rainy), gave me an excuse to put it off for another day.

What was my motive for starting it in the first place?

As the “lady of the house”, I thought it was something I was “supposed” to do. I know, it sounds southern, but we are from the south. I had admired so many gardens with gorgeous azaleas, tulips, and daisies that spread so much joy to neighbors and families. Shouldn’t I contribute, as well, so others could enjoy God’s creation in our yard, too?

That’s where the lesson was to be learned. I was doing it all for the wrong reasons. My motive was not because God called me to do it, or that I had the “gift of planting” or that I even enjoyed doing it. It was all wrapped up in “ought-tos” and guilt.

So, it may have been a failure in the eyes of a bystander, but it was a huge success in that God taught me to be who He created me to be.

We are not meant to do everything. We all have different gifts from God that will help us accomplish what He created us to do. I needed to focus on my calling and appreciate the gifts of others.

How did it end? My husband mowed over the whole area- quite happily, I might add! We both felt relief that the dreaded circle was now ready to be mowed like the rest of the yard.

To my surprise, this past winter, the daffodils that had been planted in the circle popped up unexpectedly in a semi-circle of yellow blooms- like someone had dropped them in the midst of the lawn! A reminder, God teaches and there’s always a surprise waiting at the end.

Has God revealed the motive in your heart when you were frustrated with a situation?

Let’s all take a moment for a “heart check” today. Are there “weeds” that need to be “mowed down” in our lives in order to accomplish our higher purpose?

“All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the Lord evaluates the motives”
(Proverbs 21:2 HCSB).

It’s all about Jesus! To God be the glory!
Blessings and love, Gayle

© 2019 Gayle Holcomb