It is good to see the grass and flowers come to life as they receive the spring rains and the summer sunshine. The problem is that as they flourish, so do the weeds. The same rain and sunshine that give us the desirable things that we have to deal with also give us challenges.

I battle with the weeds in our mulch beds and lawn all through the growing season. I cut the weeds down, I spray them with weed killer, I put down plastic under our mulch and sooner or later, they come back. Those undesirable weeds need water and sun to grow but they do not make the rain and sunshine bad. If the rain and sun were cut off from the weeds, the lawn and flowers would also die. I have found that if I am successful at killing the root system of the weeds, I can usually enjoy a weed free environment until next year.

Is it possible that we cut off the source for the desirable things in our life trying to get rid of the undesirable things that trouble us? Could it be that relationships are the water and sunshine we need in our life so we can flourish? Do we cut off our life source when we cut off others? Where do we go to find the root of the problem? Is the root that keeps that problem growing in others or in us?

These and other life questions will be addressed Sunday morning as “The Gathering Place Family” meets in the Washington High School Gymnasium at 10 a.m. for our Pre-Service Connection where we enjoy coffee, juice and donuts. Our Worship Service and Children’s Church then begins at 10:30. Come at 7 p.m. and be part of our Wednesday night Bible Study and Children’s Ministry on the third floor above Trends at 120 West Court St. in Washington C.H.