Reflections on a Bonsai Tree

 A couple of years ago I bought a Bonsai Palm tree thinking I'd trim it each day and be really peaceful. Not only did I not trim it everyday but I doubt I've ever trimmed it. I set it on my patio and largely forgot about it. My Mother-In-Law moved it to the front yard in its pot to move it into the sun. At first I was angry because, after all, it's not supposed to be growing too much that defeats the purpose but in the end my laziness outweighed my irritation and it stayed there. In fact it's still there. I did try to move it for our lawncare guy but to my surprise and dismay it not only was far bigger than I remembered but it had grown roots through the pot and into the ground. It is now planted there pot and all probably forever. I know how plants work and the fact that it was constantly fed by our gutter downspout and the sun I should've known it would dig itself in. I just always thought it would be temporary. Just until I could move it. Just until I had enough. I saw the tree and thought of sin. Lots of times sin is either disordered or misappropriated affections or longings. There are pure needs  for food, sex, drink, knowledge, self-esteem, joy, and so forth but there are also unhealthy extremes to the desire of all of these things. Anybody that has ever watched Star Wars knows that the path to the dark side is oftentimes started with pure intentions and motives. We start with good intentions but somewhere along the way we allow that sin full reign in our hearts. We may forget it's there or plan to get rid of it when it stops suiting us but one day we always find it bigger. We find it has taken root in our hearts in ways we never imagined. We know the nature of sin. We know how it works but until it's time to move it we give it food we give it shelter we nurture it and expect it not to grow. There have been so many times in my life that I let sin in and thought "I'll keep it maintained. I'll keep it small just to bring myself peace and comfort. I'll trim it make it look nice and it'll be my project." But like the tree, my sin not only moves to the front yard but grows and roots itself. It becomes too big for me to move on my own. Too big to be personal. The Bible is full of stories about how some of the greatest men and women of God allowed their sin to pile up. If it can happen to them I know it can happen to me. Now I have a daily reminder in my front yard of how my laziness to pray or seek God will always result in another growth in my heart.