I realized that He was showing me another parallel between the physical world and the spiritual world. When I miss some teeny blades of grass and they take hold, they are very difficult to uproot later. Their roots are strong and often intertwined with the roots of other fragile seedlings I don't want to damage. But when pulled early, they are no problem to get out. Weeds are so like the sin in our lives.
Seedlings are so like the wee beginnings of goodness in our children.
First we need to see the little beginnings. Then we need to determine what is good and what is bad. I could imagine the next time I'm with a young child identifying a bad attitude about to form. While I was mowing, I was thinking of a great way to show a child the consequences of his decisions. With the m ower in gear, zigzag carelessly, overlapping, swerving, and making a very visible mess.