Faith | Are ‘weeds’ invading your life? Apply this remedy

On SR-395, a few miles north of Connell, Washington, there is a small sign on the northwest side of the highway that reads “Weed ‘Em and Reap.”

It’s a cute play on the card shark’s boast, “Read ‘em and weep.”

Presumably a herbicide advertising quip (can’t see the fine print at 70 mph), it has always brought me a chuckle. While there are a few other Internet uses of the phrase, this agricultural application, so to speak, seems to fit best.

Along with the chuckles, I can’t help but think of life-application analogies that spring up, well, like weeds for me.

Yes, I know one person’s weed is another one’s plant — dandelions, purslane, or nettles. Nevertheless, what are some common “life-weeds” with the potential to plague any of us, like personal or social cheat grass, goat heads, blackberries, ivy, kudzu, or a zillion other invasive noxious vegetation?

Everyone’s heard of the “seven deadly sins” (augmented by their illuminating Latin translations): Pride (Superbia), Greed (Avarita), Lust (Luxuria), Envy (Invidia), Gluttony (Gula), Wrath (Ira), and Sloth (Acedia).

Maybe that’s a good place to start since they are addressed in one way or another by most philosophical and religious traditions (including Dante’s The Divine Comedy and even a Netflix series).

There are far more commandments that can be violated than just ten, opposing common sense, decency, and mutual respect.

Are any of these Vices invading your personal, social, or spiritual life? Overwhelming your goodness, hogging your resources, diverting your attention, or draining your energy?

Maybe the occasional rascal weed is tolerable, but too many can wreak havoc in compounding ways. Worst case scenarios manifested through addictive behaviors can harm and destroy your “field” and many others.

So, that’s the problem. What’s the solution? How do we weed the weeds so we can reap the desired yield?

There are herbicides, as promoted by the roadside sign: toxic chemicals that attack the perpetrator. I’m not entirely sure of a life-related analogy here, but perhaps regular and sustained applications of seven Virtues might help.

Apply Humility to reduce Pride. Apply Generosity to reduce Greed. Apply Moral Purity to reduce Lust. Apply Kindness and Gratitude to reduce Envy. Apply Temperance and Moderation to reduce Gluttony. Apply Patience and Acceptance to reduce Wrath. And apply Diligence to reduce Sloth.

Notice I suggest “reducing” weeds, rather than eliminating them. My hunch is weeds will always appear, given the slightest chance. Regular weeding is standard practice to minimize damage and maximize the potential for reaping the desired harvests of Civility, Gentility, and Morality (as suggested by long-time Tri-Cities physician, Dr. Albert Corrado).

Weeding our respective weeds allows us to reap our desired harvests.

Sometimes we can weed alone, sometimes we need expert consultants, counselors, and guides (and Guide). There’s great literature — sacred and secular — that has helped generations of other folks do this life-enhancing work.

In the spirit of the 12-Step mantra, may each of us receive courage to weed what needs to be and can be weeded.

Here’s to your vitality!

Timothy J. Ledbetter, DMin, BCC is a retired American Baptist-endorsed professional chaplain and member of Shalom United Church of Christ in Richland. Questions and comments should be directed to editor Lucy Luginbill in care of the Tri-City Herald newsroom, 4253 W. 24th Avenue, Kennewick, WA 99338. Or email lluginbill@tricityherald.com.