Don’t touch those weeds! Here’s a story I wrote several years ago that illustrates what I’m talking about:
Saved by the Weeds
Photo by Rebecca Barlow Jordan
Farming, like other high-risk occupations, requires a great deal of faith, dependence, and trust in God’s timing and goodness.One year a potato farmer encountered some problems due to hot weather. Because potatoes are a very temperamental crop and must be in the ground a certain period of time the farmer was concerned that the planting be done on time.
The weather broke, however, and he planted the potatoes only five days late. As the cultivation program began, everything looked good except for two plots where weeds began to grow out of control two weeks before the harvest. It was too late to destroy the weeds. The farmer had to let them keep growing. Another more severe problem emerged when a truck strike interfered with the targeted harvest date. The farmer knew that leaving his potatoes too long in the Arizona summer heat would destroy the crop. In the meantime, the “carpet weeds” continued to flourish and provided an almost blanket-like protection over the potatoes, while taller weeds gave additional shade. Later as the harvesters examined the fields, they discovered that wherever the weeds had grown up, there was no spoilage of potatoes. In weed-free areas, the potatoes were ruined because of the heat. The weeds saved his crops. He had only 5 percent spoilage.
God often uses seemingly adverse circumstances to shield and shade us from “spoilage” in our lives. The very “weeds” we chafe about–petty irritations, chronic interruptions, “irregular” people–are often the means He uses to enhance our ultimate growth and develop a harvest of godly character in us.1
“Let both grow together until the harvest.” - Matthew 13:30 NIV
1Rebecca Barlow Jordan, “Saved by the Weeds,” Copyright 2002 Cook Communications Ministries, In the Garden with God by Honor Books. Used with permission. May not be further reproduced. All rights reserved.
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PROFESSIONAL BIO
Rebecca Barlow Jordan is a best-selling inspirational author and speaker who loves to share God’s words of encouragement with others. She has authored or co-authored 11 books, including her newest devotional series: Day-votions® for Women, Day-votions® for Mothers, and Day-votions® for Grandmothers. Rebecca also wrote 40 Days in God’s Presence and 40 Days in God’s Blessing, as well as two best-selling series: the Daily in Your Presence series, which included the printing of a large, gift-boxed journal, and co-authored the Courage for the Chicken Hearted series. Her other books include At Home in My Heart, and Marriage Toners, a book she co-authored with her husband. She has also contributed to numerous other book publications, including Guidepost’s Mornings with Jesus 2013, In the Garden with God, Christmas with God, and three other Guidepostbooks.
You may have seen one of Rebecca’s inspirational greeting cards in Christian bookstores or gift shops. She has sold over 1700 greeting cards, stories, devotionals, inspirational poems, calendars, and articles to publications such as Home Life, Discipleship Journal, Marriage Partnership, Focus on the Family, and others. Rebecca also authored a series of children’s devotionals and a 365-day calendar, In His Image.
Rebecca married Larry, her high school sweetheart. As a minister’s wife, she has been teaching Bible studies and encouraging others since their first country church over thirty-five years ago (home of “Miz Gordy” and the source of many lighthearted—and chickenhearted episodes.) Rebecca has also taught at writers’ conferences and has worked with women’s ministry and discipleship. She and her husband Larry have two married daughters and sons-in-law and four grandchildren and make their home in East Texas.
In 2008, Rebecca was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award from Hardin-Simmons University where she attended. She has been a newspaper columnist and church deaf interpreter and has won two American Christian Writer’s Awards. Rebecca is a Speak Up graduate (Carol Kent), a member of AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association) and ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers), and has been interviewed on numerous national radio stations.
Rebecca also enjoys gardening, photography, spending time with family, reading great fiction, fishing with her husband–and learning more about God’s heart.
MORNINGS with JESUS 2013 DEVOTIONAL
With warm and thoughtful voices, ten writers–including Tricia Goyer, Rebecca Barlow Jordan and Dianne Neal Matthews–reflect thoughtfully on the character and teachings of Jesus as they know Him in their day-to-day lives. Available from Guideposts.
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