Pretty Weeds and Bad Grapes

One of my daughter's Bible verses at the beginning of the summer was 1 Sam 16:7c "for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart."  It was so fun listening to her repeat that all week, yet I never can truly get it stuck into my own brain!  Why do I care so much what other's think of my family and our appearance?  We had to deal with me caring too much this weekend, and all I can think about today is how I wish I could rewind time and not care.

When we got home from errands today, my daughter ran out to the yard to pick a lone dandelion that had sprouted.  She loves it when those little yellow "flowers" sprout up.  It is perfect for a four year old to pick.  She ran to me with a big smile and said, "Mommy I got you a prize; it's a pretty flower."  Now, I have tried repeatedly to tell her that this little flower she thinks is so pretty is really a weed in disguise.  It is not the most desirable thing to have sprouting in our yard (especially considering our house is for sale and some family had just left from taking a look).  But all she sees is the outside, and to her it's brilliant yellow color is enough to make it beautiful.  She doesn't know the meaning of the word "weed" and that it is not something that is considered lovely.

Now last week, I had to run in the grocery store to pick up a few things.  My girls both love grapes, and we have them every morning with our breakfast.  We had been out of grapes for two days, and the natives were getting restless.  My girls were missing their grapes!  I picked up a few bags, carefully examining each one, before settling on my choice.  I grabbed a few other things, paid, and we were out the door (one of our more successful trips in the store).  The next morning I pulled them out to start washing and cutting (my little one has to have them chopped).  They were very pretty grapes.  The color was good and they looked juicy!  Now, we are not talking Promise Land grapes, but I was thinking they were going to be good.  But, I started cutting, and they were squishy.  I don't just mean a few, I mean the whole entire bag.  Everyone I checked was just mush on the inside.  How could something so pretty be so bad?

Now, with these two stories in mind, which would you rather be?  Do you want to be a "pretty weed" or a "bad grape"?

The pretty weed is beautiful to the little girl walking by.  Now, it might be a nuisance to some, but a joy to a few. The bad grape has beauty to behold, but on the inside is just a mess.

Today, I am picking the pretty weed!  I would rather my Heavenly Father look at me as a thing of joy and not care what anyone else thinks!  I didn't do such a great job of that this weekend when getting ready for a church event.  It was at my father-in-laws' church.  And it was Homecoming.  Something special for everyone involved.  I had bought my husband and new suit that was worth $310 that I got for $60 - oh yeah I love a good bargain.  And, that was suit, shirt and tie I might add!  The girls had pretty matching dresses, and I had a semi-new dress.  We got up to rainy and chilly weather.  Sweaters couldn't be found.  Hairbows were lost.  Outfits had to be changed.  It was a big old mess.  Now why was I not more concerned about how my heart was preparing for the day of worship instead of what our appearance looked like?  The devil had me good by the time we got there, which was surprisingly on time!

Today's Verse
"For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."  Luke 12:31

I had to have a change of heart once I sat down at church.  I had to gather my thoughts toward Him, and ask forgiveness.  I had to tell that devil to get behind me!  I don't want my treasure to be anywhere but in heaven.

I don't want my heart to be about looks and clothing and impressing.  I want my heart to be about Him.  I don't want to be pretty on the outside, but just a big mushy mess on the inside.  I want my insides to be beautiful for my Lord to look upon.  He is looking at my heart, and my heart is what matters.  People might say, "that girl is always so happy, and it gets on my nerves."  That would be fine to me to be nuisance of a weed, but to my Lord I want to be His "good and faithful servant."  I want Him to pick me, even if I am a weed to others.  I want to be a pretty weed for Him!