This morning as my daughter and I pulled weeds in our yard, she started to comment (as most children I know who have a good understanding of the theology of sin do) that she wished Adam and Eve hadn't disobeyed God. After all, their disobedience caused all the painful consequences we face - illness, thorny weeds, addictions, relationship disruptions and much more. As always, I pointed her to the fact that all these difficulties we face remind us of our need for Jesus.

Then (as she wandered off to a place with less difficult weeds) I got to thinking about the time I spent praying this morning about many very difficult and painful situations I see in the lives of people around me. It felt like many of these situations were almost without hope this side of heaven. But the weeds reminded me of God's grace just as the difficulties I see in my friends ought to have done. Life's pain should send me running to Jesus, not just in prayer but in hope and faith, resting in His grace and trusting Him whether or not the painful situations change. Life's pain is a reminder to me of my need for Him and of His love in meeting my deepest needs. So in that, I'm thankful for the weeds of life!