Feed the Leaves
For years I have fought them! Those pesky little critters that ruin the grapevines! They suck the juice out of the leaves and leave behind a fungal infection that pock-marks the leaves and eventually destroys them. Since the leaves are the food-making factory for the vines, you can guess the result: pathetic fruit production.
These are vines that, in years past, have produced so many grapes that I have had to take them around to the neighbors, much like the legendary zucchini stealth drops. But recently, there has been almost nothing, and before I am ready to harvest fruit, the birds have devoured the few that remain. I have been discouraged, angry and in tears. I have sprayed them, Neem-oiled them, cursed them, trying various means to eliminate the pests and preserve the fruit, but no success!
The infestation has been so bad that I could not even bear to be near the vines. The little varmints flew in my ears, pricked my face and neck, and got in my nose and mouth! (FYI: we are not made to inhale bugs!) I even considered tearing the vines out and starting over. This is especially sad because two of them provide the shade, boundary and beauty for the place in the yard which has been dedicated to spending time with Jesus. The “Quiet Space” has been abandoned!
In fact, it was only after I rededicated the space to that purpose that it occurred to me to ask the Master Gardener what to do to fix the problem. (DUH!)
Now, at the same time, I had been learning that plants that are not strong and well-nourished are more subject to insect attack. (Kind of like the lion that goes for the old, slow and weak gazelles.) I had also been reading about a way to use the plants that I don’t want in my compost or my yard, and had been listening to voices in the regenerative agriculture spaces.
The Master Gardener whispered, “Feed the leaves. Strengthen the vines.”
So I stopped trying to eliminate the pests and have begun to feed the leaves. I am using a solution made out of the weeds I don’t want in my compost but are really good at extracting nutrients from the soil. Rather than killing all the bugs, including some I really want — like honeybees and lacewings, I shifted my focus to restoring life and strength to my treasured vines. I sprayed the leaves all over with the strengthening solution a few times and then left town for two weeks, committing them to the Father’s care.
I have not seen a single leaf-hopper since my return!
Besides good gardening advice, what is the word God has for me in this?
Jesus is the Vine and we are the branches. (an apt word-picture, no?) The enemy is all around, his minions attempting to suck the life out of us. Jesus makes it clear that His approach is not to give us weapons to destroy (That’s a devilish strategy.), but to give us armor so we can stand, strong in the Lord and the strength of His might, taking our own thoughts captive, tearing apart the disagreements we have with who God is and who we are, and praying for one another. When the devil wanted to sift Peter, Jesus said He prayed for Peter’s faith.
He said He came to destroy the works of the devil. Romans 16:20 says “The God of peace will soon crush Satan underneath your feet.” It is God who destroys the enemy in God’s good time and for His purposes.
Our job is to strengthen one another, build one another up, pray for one another…in the the LORD’s strength! I am praying for you as I am
Following Jesus every day in the everyday,
Christi
P.S. What took me so long?!
0 Comments