Pre-emergence

It’s no secret that I love fire pits. I love to fan the flame. Just so you know, I’m not reckless, though a neighbor once bought me a huge fire extinguisher, just in case. My neighbors notice most of all (sorry to those reading), as the smoke and smell from my fire pit often moves lazily through the neighborhood. 

I’ve recently found another fire use for addressing the early spring weeds poking their way between patio bricks and sidewalk. Some even claim it’s environmentally friendly, so I’m in! A propane tank with a torch attachment can be so satisfying. I love replicating the roaring sound of a hot air balloon, while sizzling pesky weeds in hard-to-reach crevices. And it totally makes lighting my fire pit a snap, though it does take some of the skill out of it.

As I look at the outside “spring cleaning” around the house, I’m amazed at how messy things get in such a short period of time. Last year’s leaves have blown into nooks and crannies, sticks and twigs cover the lawn from the windy days, acorns and walnut husks litter the patio and patio furniture, as the squirrels dig out what they have hidden away. 

Moss covers the patio brick edges that found shelter in the shadow of our huge oak on the edge, yet a path is worn clear across the patio to the yard, where Jada explodes out the door chasing varmints off her property. No sticks, moss, or leaves are evident -- they’re worn away by her many pursuits of the squirrels or deer.

The paths used most stay the cleanest. 

At first, I took a broom to it, but after slow progress, I found my leaf blower made quicker work of all the debris that had fallen. I blew the months of accumulation off into the lawn where it now awaits the first cut of the year, which will probably happen this week. I’m holding off as long as I can. Clearing off the surface is the easy part, what’s growing underneath is the stubborn part. Those little green tufts of chickweed, dandelions, and ragweed are hard to pull up without some elbow grease.

I see a metaphor of life in it all. The good routines and habits I normally keep make for clear relational paths generally, even when life’s seasons drop their challenges on me. I find it easier to blow off the unpleasantries if I stay on my good path. 

What’s more difficult are the attitudes and motivations that seed themselves on the edges and in the cracks of my emotional patio. My personal chickweed, dandelions, and ragweed easily sprout up if left unchecked.

Truth is, I’m feeling some weeds pushing up on some of the less-traveled parts of my heart as I anticipate some confronting conversations in the week ahead. I’ll need to do some rooting out before they rat me out. In fact, I wish the “refiner’s fire” would just burn them up completely, but He knows there are lessons in the struggle.

I like the crisp, clean look of my freshly-swept patio, especially after having charred away any unwanted growth to ash. It won’t be long before I’ll need to torch again, that’s the nature of weeds, but at least now I can have fun doing it. 

So, if you drive by my house and you see me putzing around in the driveway with a flame thrower, or hear the roaring sound of a blow torch, just know that I’m taking care of the weeds, both inside and out, and loving it.

Search me, Oh God, and know my heart: Try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:24-25
 

What’s pre-emerging this season for you? Do you need a broom or a fire?