Cutworms are ugly, fat, brown worms that can wreak havoc overnight in a garden. They rise to the surface, wrap themselves around the tender stems of new plants, and cut them off at ground level. In the morning you find plant after plant, cut off and lying on the ground, shriveling in the new dawn.
Gardeners espouse various cures for cutworms. Some place plastic or foil collars around the stems from just above ground level to several inches below. Others insert nails, Popsicle sticks or toothpicks in the ground, one on either side of each stem. We generally just pick up a pile of twigs from the yard and poke them down next to the stems. All these cures work because they keep the worms from being able to surround the stem and cut it down. At least with our way, you don’t have to walk the garden removing things that either won’t degrade or might be dangerous. Just ask my son Nathan about toothpicks and bare feet.
These cures work for souls as well. People who face the trials and cares of life alone, without any support or encouragement, might as well have Satan wrap them up in his arms. They are that vulnerable. As vigilant soldiers of Christ we should be on the lookout during times when we find ourselves alone. Are you the only one at school who even claims to be a Christian? The only one at work? The only one in your neighborhood? Make sure you are not too proud to recognize moments of weakness and ask someone for help. Be willing to seek companionship when you need it. In fact, be willing to run for it!
And to those who are never alone, who are blessed enough to have a Christian mate or to work in a Christian atmosphere, pay attention to those around you who are not. Find the singles, the widows, the ones who have been left by unfaithful spouses, and be the someone who stands next to her so the devil cannot wrap her up and cut her down. We are too often so involved in our own families that we do not look for or make time for the lonely souls who need us. They are always the “fifth wheel,” not a couple, and so they are ignored because they don’t fit in. It is our job to fit them in.
Look around you today and find a loner. Don’t let anyone lose his soul because you didn’t even think to wrap him up in your encouraging arms and let him know that he is not alone.
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him -- a threefold cord is not quickly broken, Eccl 4:9-12.
Dene Ward
(For hints, help, and instructions on using this blog, click on the FAQ/Tutorial page on the left sidebar)
Gardeners espouse various cures for cutworms. Some place plastic or foil collars around the stems from just above ground level to several inches below. Others insert nails, Popsicle sticks or toothpicks in the ground, one on either side of each stem. We generally just pick up a pile of twigs from the yard and poke them down next to the stems. All these cures work because they keep the worms from being able to surround the stem and cut it down. At least with our way, you don’t have to walk the garden removing things that either won’t degrade or might be dangerous. Just ask my son Nathan about toothpicks and bare feet.
These cures work for souls as well. People who face the trials and cares of life alone, without any support or encouragement, might as well have Satan wrap them up in his arms. They are that vulnerable. As vigilant soldiers of Christ we should be on the lookout during times when we find ourselves alone. Are you the only one at school who even claims to be a Christian? The only one at work? The only one in your neighborhood? Make sure you are not too proud to recognize moments of weakness and ask someone for help. Be willing to seek companionship when you need it. In fact, be willing to run for it!
And to those who are never alone, who are blessed enough to have a Christian mate or to work in a Christian atmosphere, pay attention to those around you who are not. Find the singles, the widows, the ones who have been left by unfaithful spouses, and be the someone who stands next to her so the devil cannot wrap her up and cut her down. We are too often so involved in our own families that we do not look for or make time for the lonely souls who need us. They are always the “fifth wheel,” not a couple, and so they are ignored because they don’t fit in. It is our job to fit them in.
Look around you today and find a loner. Don’t let anyone lose his soul because you didn’t even think to wrap him up in your encouraging arms and let him know that he is not alone.
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him -- a threefold cord is not quickly broken, Eccl 4:9-12.
Dene Ward
(For hints, help, and instructions on using this blog, click on the FAQ/Tutorial page on the left sidebar)
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