A glimpse of beauty in a dry and barren land

Here's something I'm ashamed to admit. I don't really like having people over at my house. Not because I am mean or inhospitable but because I get so hung up on how my house looks or how my backyard looks. We still have old, hand-me-down furniture, nasty carpet, and even after living here for 3 1/2 years, the backyard looks like this.

And this-
It seems like everyone I know around here has built a brand new home and has gorgeous decor and a nice backyard. We put in new sprinkler lines last year and planted grass seed. Well, the seed didn't take very well and the weeds grew up faster than ever. Raymond quit watering the backyard and we're back to the beginning. At this point we'd like to hire someone to put sod down, but that's not in the budget right now. *sigh* We both hate yard work. I'd love a gardener. Raymond would too!

We planted pansies and roses in our front flower bed in April and the heat has killed every last pansy.

Completely dead-


Dying....

And yet, despite all the ugliness, there is a hint of beauty.

The roses that bloom some gorgeous flowers.

The pansies were pretty before they died! ;)

Our yummy tomatoes we've been enjoying.
And lest you think all I do is complain (which, sadly, I do a lot of!) God is constantly teaching me lessons through all of this. I am learning, slowly at times, to be content with what I have and to look forward to unimaginable beauty that awaits us in our heavenly home. Even the most beautiful places and things here on earth are but tiny glimpses of the full glory that we have yet to see. It helps when I remember this when the green-eyed monster rears his ugly head. Now that I've had experience pulling weed after weed and toiling in the yard, I have a better understanding of why Jesus used parables about weeds and working hard to have a harvest. When I get frustrated pulling out countless weeds that seem to always grow back, it reminds me that my own heart is often overrun with weeds. The longer I allow them to remain, the harder it is to get rid of them. Thankfully the Lord is merciful and willing to forgive. I pray my heart has a glimpse of His beauty. I'm still a work in progress and so is my yard.

So here's to getting over my pride and welcoming friends and family into my home, no matter how it looks. Someday I'll have a nice yard and new furniture. What matters most is that I have a cheerful and giving spirit.