spiritual scarecrows

During the Middle Ages, children were often given the responsibility of running through recently planted gardens while clapping pieces of wood together to scare away the birds. They were called "crow-scarers."

Each spring, after planting our garden, we put a scarecrow owl on a post to scare birds away and protect the seeds. We also place a black garden hose that looks like a big snake between the rows.

Jesus compared the Word of God to seeds being planted. He warned of "fowls of the air" which are looking to devour that seed. Just as literal scarecrows can help protect the seeds, perhaps placing some spiritual scarecrows in our "heart" garden would be good. We must "keep" (guard) our heart "with all diligence" to protect the valuable Word of God (our Bible reading).

A few spiritual scarecrows to consider:

• Review. We check our garden frequently and move the scarecrow owl around. Likewise, it might be helpful to read again and meditate on the Bible reading that has been recently planted in your heart.
• Prayer. We do not leave the seeds laying on top of the ground, but we cover them with a layer of dirt. Prayer after Bible reading can be like that—carefully preserving and protecting God's words.
• Praise. Like the children clapping pieces of wood together, praise and thanksgiving will chase away the "fowls" (thoughts of discouragement, unbelief, and depression).

​What spiritual scarecrows are you establishing in your heart garden today?

​A great place to find God is in a garden.
—Anonymous