Look Out For The Vines

Over the past few years there has been a proliferative vine growing throughout the entire wooded area around our property. In our yard it started out as little shoots coming up here and there. At first it not only looked harmless, but familiar and pretty. The new tender shoots had perfect little leaves and they gently wound themselves around anything in their proximity, like pleasantly curving lines of ivy.

When still tender and small the vines can be pulled with reasonable ease from unwanted places in the soil. In the path of a lawnmower they are powerless to save themselves. And under the influence of Roundup® they are left limp and lifeless. In the fall, some of the heartier vines on the edge of the woods sprout yellow shell casings that at first conceal then burst open to reveal bright orange berries that are a delightful treat for the neighborhood birds.

Oh, how sweet! Not a problem, right? However just try yanking on one that has been left growing for a while.

This vine has an appropriate and dual name. Bittersweet. Interesting, too that there are 2 species of bittersweet. At first glance they greatly resemble each other. One has smooth stems and does no harm to us or to other growth nearby. I would view that kind as “sweet”. The other however has blunt thorns and is deadly to all plant life in its proximity, including its “sweet” counterpart species. I’m sure you would agree that’s the “bitter” kind.

We have never tended to the woods surrounding us because they are either not part of our property or they are not a yard work area because they are . . . well . . . woods. (Not that I am much of a yard work person anyway). And so these woods have been taken over by the “bitter” element of this plant. In slow, creepy, stifling, choking, and destructive degrees, this vine has begun to change the whole landscape around us.

What initially seemed innocent has become an out-of-control destroyer. In just a few short years the growth and spread of this fierce plant has strangled, harnessed and pulled down trees a lot older than I am. I know this because some of those destroyed trees were ones I had played in or under as a child. (In case you’re wondering, I currently live where I grew up.)

So, where am I going with this? A few places actually.

First, I am reminded that back when I was a child (a way long time ago) there were a few of the harmless “sweet” vines growing in our side yard. They were pretty. We picked some in the fall to put it in vases or to hang on the door. It didn’t invade our yard or trees. It just grew and looked beautiful.

Somewhere in the past 50-plus years that harmless “sweet” species literally got subdued and overpowered by its “bitter”, evil counterpart. And none of us saw it coming because initially they both looked the same.

Things in our life can be like that. Changes can start out so subtle or look so familiar that we don’t realize that they are taking the life out of something healthy and beautiful. Like a bad habit that slowly creeps back into your life. Or maybe some attitude toward something crops up again and begins to eat at you. Or you hear yourself share a bit of gossip or falsehood. When left untended a little wisp of hurt from or toward someone can turn into a trailing stem of unforgiveness. Particular relationships if not properly assessed, valued or maintained can stifle or pull us down instead of helping us grow. Even what we spend our time on for leisure or recreation can insidiously become a life stealer.

What’s in our yard, our domain, our soil needs to be frequently surveyed, to keep it cleaned up. (Just please don’t use my yard as a good example!)

What’s in our soul needs to be examined regularly too. Ideally it should be daily, or if you’re like me, maybe several times in a day.

Proverbs 5:21 “For a man’s ways are in full view of the LORD, and He examines all his paths.”

Psalm 139:23-24 “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. ²⁴ See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

I am so thankful that God is ever gracious with me and that He reveals to me the things that can really hurt the garden of my heart. He helps me pluck them out, pull out the roots, or mercifully wipes them out with His blood. I’m sure He loves admiring the Beauty of a well groomed heart.

Gee, if it wasn’t raining out right now, I’d maybe go out and get some yard work done. Ok, so on quick self-examination, I realize that was probably a fib. Please forgive me. Those pesky little vines...

Gratefully HIS,

Jan