Red Thread

Red thread is a lawn fungus. It tries to kill healthy grass. If a homeowner doesn’t know what to look for, you can be deceived into thinking that your lawn is healthy.

My husband is our resident grass expert. Allow me to brag for a moment –we use to pay a lawn service but he does such a great job that even our neighbors quiz him about their lawns.

The rainy Spring, that made gardens and lawns green and lush looking, was responsible for hiding something at our house. I was surprised when my husband told me that he was about to cut all the green grass away. He said, ‘it looks healthy but actually I need to mow the top away to get rid of the Red Thread lurking below.’

Well, cut it, he did!  Later that day, I couldn’t believe my eyes. My earlier award winning lawn now took on the appearance of a brown and green splotchy very unhealthy looking lawn.

Surprised by its’ true condition and unsightliness, my vanity surfaced with thoughts like, ‘what will the neighbors think?’ I couldn’t see the fungus before he mowed– let’s just keep it hidden!

Reminded me of what happens to us when God cuts away places of bitterness and hardness rooted in our hearts; sometimes planted years before and tightly held because it’s just too painful to deal with.  So we hide it beneath the exterior of our smiles and busy lives and we keep ourselves captive to this secret life within because, like our Red Thread, nobody else can see it. But God knows.  

I read that 80% of our character is like an iceberg, hidden beneath the surface. People get to know 20% of who we really are. And most of us like it that way!

Is everything hidden beneath the surface bad? No, but it’s the place where we store disappointments that we don’t want to deal with and we visit there when life beats us down. It’s a place called captivity. 

As my husband and I stood in the driveway discussing the lawn, something more was revealed. We agreed that our lawn’s now ugly appearance reflected how we’re feeling about our current life.  With my husband’s business on life support and him standing at a much familiar crossroad, it’s not a fun place for either of us right now.

Discouragement can make us feel unattractive. When you don’t know what the next day will bring, it’s easy to lose hope and think the situation will never get better.  Discouragement is a tool of Satan. Wallowing in discouragement is just where the devil wants us. Who hasn’t been guilty of wasting precious time and energy on the things that have disappointed us? Yet, we know better.

God sees us struggling with circumstances regarding children, jobs, divorce, single parenting, financial debt or unhealthy relationships. If you are anything like me, you wonder if God is listening.  When my mind wanders there, I remind God of His promises to me. ‘ Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living.’   Psalm 27:13

(Sandra)Kay Yow, North Carolina State’s famous women’s basketball coach, succumbed to breast cancer (March 14, 1942 – January 24, 2009). Yow was a winner in more than one way. She refused to dwell on her health issues, though they colored everything she did almost as much as basketball. Ultimately, her philosophies on both were the same.

“When life kicks you, let it kick you forward.”

 Yow planned her own funeral before she died and recorded a 25-minute video to be played at the service. More than 1,400 people attended the funeral at a suburban Raleigh church, as Yow thanked her supporters on the video. "And now I say farewell," she bade the mourners, "and it's been a wonderful journey, especially since the time I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior.” (Wikipedia)

Whatever life is throwing at you today, remember that God does have a plan for you.

‘A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.’  (John 10:10)

Just like others have reminded me, I am here to remind you. God will give us what we need, when we need it, His timing is perfect. If we trust in His sovereignty, we become better people instead of bitter people. The only difference between being better or bitter is the I.

Like our lawn, that will eventually look and be healthy again, the hidden disappointments that distract and burden us can be cut away and replaced by healthier thoughts, comfort and peace.

Let’s pray. Dear Father, You are the great Gardner; pruning, planting and watering us with Your love.  Help us to see beyond our immediate circumstances and trust that You are listening and have a plan; You’ve called us to something better than the hurts and disappointments we hide; heal us Father in a way that we can be free from our captivity. In Christ’s strong name I pray. Amen.

Until next time~

Blessings, Nancy