The Ugly Undergrowth

At the end of our driveway we had two very large dying pine trees. Amazingly the dead ugly trees looked healthy but we knew they were diseased. We had not cut them down prior because they did a great job at hiding our firewood pile, trashcans and recycling bin. Once the trees were cut down? Full out klampetville in plain sight at the end of our driveway. The undergrowth was exposed and ugly. We didn't want to offend the neighbors or have them judge us.

The good news was that with the trees gone sunlight was able to completely shine down on the ugly undergrowth. My husband raked up the underbrush and put out grass seed. Amazingly within a day tiny bright green sprouts started to peak through. We still needed a way to organize the wood pile and neatly contain the city issued trash and recycling bins. Overall it was already looking brighter.

A week went by and the ugly spot at the end of the driveway was starting to take shape. It was still rough and needed some work. Yet I could envision the possibilities. We decided to build a storage building that would house patio furniture cushions and my husbands fishing and duck hunting paraphernalia. We designed it to match the color of our home. We added window boxes and my husband spend one night in the rain adding a picket fence.

The once dead trees that hid the ugly undergrowth had turned into a darling addition to our backyard. Actually it turned out better than I expected! 

Isn't this such a perfect example of our lives without Jesus? We may have an exterior that looks normal. Maybe even a larger than life personality. Or a beautiful exterior. But inside we are spiritually empty.  We may even feel dead inside. 

Once we allow Jesus into our hearts the exterior is taken down. The ugliness is exposed. Beautifully and meticulously the Lord plants seeds in our lives. He has a plan for us. We may not realize He's doing it because we are still so exposed. 

One day we wake up and we have joy in our lives. We can actually envision our lives with love, purpose, servitude and thankfulness. We are able to give the glory of our lives to Christ. Then some where down the road we realize we are complete. We are full of his love and peace. 

When we look back at the exterior we had put up to cover the ugliness? The pain of the walls coming down? We realize we are not only healed, whole and free but life is more beautiful than we expected.

"Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it"-Matthew 10:39