Thankful Thursday: "I Wasn't There For The Weeds"

"This story is about (a father), the great scientist Henry Eyring, who served on the Bonneville Stake high council (of the church).

He was responsible for the welfare farm, which included a field of onions that needed to be weeded.

At that time, he was nearly 80 and suffering from painful bone cancer.

He assigned himself to do weeding even though the pain was so great that he pulled himself along on his stomach with his elbows.

The pain was too great for him to kneel.
Yet he smiled, laughed, and talked happily with the others who were there that day weeding that field of onions.

I now quote what (his son) said of this incident:
" 'After all the work was finished and the onions were all weeded, someone [said to] him,
"Henry, good heavens!
You didn't pull those weeds, did you?
Those weeds were sprayed two days ago, and they were going to die anyway."

" 'Dad just roared.
He thought that was the funniest thing.
He thought it was a great joke on himself.

He had worked through the day in the wrong weeds.
They had been sprayed and would have died anyway.

" '. . . I [asked] him, "Dad how could you make a joke out of that?" . . .
" 'He said something to me that I will never forget. . . .

He said, "I wasn't there for the weeds." ' "

This story means so much to me.
Hubby planned our garden.
He roto tilled, I planted.
Neither of us weeded.
It rained and rained and the weeds grew and grew.
The vegetables did not.
I refused to weed.
It was hubby's job.
I was responsible for harvesting and preserving (new to me this year).
The weeds grew and grew.
Rather depressing, and overwhelming.
Then I heard this story.
I'm not there for the weeds.

I have been hoeing a little each day.
Not for the harvest, not for revenge, not for anything but to show obedience and care for my little corner of the earth Heavenly Father has trusted me with.

After discussing it, we now plan on trying a square foot garden area.

I am so THANKFUL that my God is a God of second chances, and do overs.
That this life is just an experiment, with learning opportunities and experiences. And MUCH enjoyment:)

Have a GREAT Thankful Day!!



My goal this year is to soak it up, to bloom where I am planted, and enjoy the ride...
Counting my many blessings naming them one by one...
Join Spiritually Unequal Marriage, or Women Taking A Stand to join in or see more.
Also:
Happy Show & Tell:) Join Kelli at There is no place like home for Show & Tell:)
Have a great weekend!!!!

True story taken from: James E. Faust, “‘Some Great Thing,' “ Liahona, Jan. 2002, 55-56