Christina V. Hornworms
This summer, we have been going through an epic battle with squash bugs and horn worms. I swear we have never had this problem before and I 100% think it is attributed to where we got our compost from. So this is my humble acknowledgment that research matters and also a really big learning point for me.
These worms seem to show up out of nowhere, destroy a plant as quick as can be, and continue to move down the line! This battle has been something that we have had to address every single day. They are relentless. I have 21 tomato plants and not one has gone untouched. They have literally become the bane of my existence.
Every night at dusk, we are out there with a black light searching for these worms. We’re checking the tarp for poop so we know which plants they’ve been on, and we know where to start our search. Typically, we don’t give up until we find one, because we have the evidence that they are there.
And this whole hunt really has me thinking…
Am I working this hard to hunt and remove the destructive things in my life?
And yes, I know that sounds extreme, but it’s meant to sound extreme. These hornworms in my garden are so small, but so destructive. You think, “One worm, what damage can it do?” but very quickly they multiply, and before you know it, there are no tomatoes hanging on half eaten vines.
And honestly, this comparison is so very similar to sin in our lives.
I love my time in the garden because it’s time to be outside, be still and think. There’s no noise, just the sounds of nature and something to keep my hands busy.
Thinking about these hornworms and their comparison to sin in my life, I have been thinking about all the little ways I make justifications. See with the worms I see how detrimental they are, so it’s really hard for me to say I will just leave the garden unchecked this one night and it will be fine. Because I know, in fact, in one night so much can happen when these guys are hard at work. But with sin, I’m much more quick to make the exception.
“Oh, it’s just one episode… I know the difference between right and wrong. It won’t affect me.”
“It’s not gossiping if it’s facts.”
“I said a cuss word, but I didn’t have bad intent behind it.”
The list of these little things can go on and on and on. And sure, with the grace of salvation, none of these things are damning, but all of these ‘little’ sins are distracting. They all add up to take time away from growing into the person I want to become just like the worms eat away at the growth of my tomato plants.
And it doesn’t just stop at things that I have received conviction around or consider sinful. Good things in the wrong parameters can be just as bad.
“I’m gonna read this novel that I can’t put down and instead of finishing my Bible study, because I can do that tomorrow.”
“I’m going to pick up extra hours at work instead of working in the ministry. I’ve been called too.”
Sometimes we make justification or excuses for things that aren’t inherently bad, but do take us away from our calling. If I wasn’t hoping to can tomatoes, make pasta sauce and some salsa - these worms wouldn’t bother me. But because I have plans for these tomatoes these worms are a pest. And … God has plans for me and I know I allow some good things to be a pest for those plans.
So this week while I am in an epic battle against these “big old hornworms”, I’m thinking about what sins or little habits I perceive as tiny that are actually causing negative impacts in my life. I’m challenging myself to commit to turning these things over to the Father. And while I know I’m not perfect, and I know that I won’t be able to ever succeed 100%, I am committing to not watching TV until my Bible Study is done and not using bad words regardless of the context. They seem like small commitments, but every step we take towards the cross is one step closer to being stronger in building the kingdom of God.
What are the hornworms in your life?
God’s Love and Mine,
Christina
