Randa and I spent a good part of the day Saturday working on the landscaping at the rental property. Actually, she spent more time on the landscaping than I did; I was doing the finishing on a closet addition inside one of the apartments and helped her in between coats of drywall compound and paint. She pulled weeds, trimmed bushes and gnawed off a four-inch thick walnut limb with a very dull pruning saw.

By late afternoon, I was through with the last coat of paint and she was ready to plant hostas. The work of excavating for post footers and a sidewalk had left a pile of heavy clay dirt against the foundation under the deck and that needed to be moved before we planted anything right there. Most of the dirt shoveled like dirt should shovel but there were clumps that seemed much more like ceramic castings.

Hard and heavy, whatever had been taken up in its wet dense state two months ago had stayed in that same shape. Even if I’d tried to break up the clumps with a maul, all that would have accomplished would be to create some smaller dense clods. Given a good soaking rain and then waiting until just the right stage and they would have fallen apart easily. Even bits of earth are subject to their moods and moments.

There are times, too, when words have no effect whatsoever, no matter how impassioned the plea or how tender the entreaty. But when the Spirit of God has opened the heart, the seed of the Word may take root and flourish. Even in the heart of a sinner such as me.

H. Arnett
5/10/10