The other day my wife and I spent an hour or so raking leaves in our front yard. The yard had become completely covered thanks to a giant oak tree nearby. After we finished with the leaves, we decided to continue in our spirit of yard work by cleaning out a small flower bed that had a few weeds in it, so we worked on that for another hour or so (I know… cool points are being lost at an alarming rate). Nevertheless, while we were outside, a neighbor drove past and saw what we were doing. She stopped to tell us how good the front yard was looking.

But then she added something more.

She felt the need to confess to us that she was sorry for letting her yard get so out of hand - as if we were the yard police or something. She went even further by promising us that she would find time early next week to do her own share of raking, even though I assure you that neither me nor my wife are the least bit concerned about the appearance of this lady’s yard.  

Sometimes this happens when you’re a follower of Jesus too. If you and Him are out there spending time together working in the “yard,” – or you might call it the garden of your heart – then people will start to notice when your appearance changes and they will be persuaded to take a closer look at their own “yards.”