The Tree in My Flower Bed:

A Reflection on Life, Mess, and Grace

This morning started like any other. I walked out the door, trying to get as much done as I could before heading to work. For once, I was actually on time — not running late, not scrambling. Just walking out the door.

And then I saw it.

Right there in the middle of my flower bed — a healthy, strong, and rather beautiful maple tree. Not a weed… a full-fledged little tree. It’s not supposed to be there. But it is. And somehow, I’ve overlooked it.

I know I’ve seen it before — probably glanced its way and thought, “I’ll come back another day.” But I never did. Day after day, I walked past it, promising myself I’d deal with it later. And today? I still didn’t pull it up. I just said it again: “I’ll come back another day.” Because, like always, I had to go to work.

So there it stands — this uninvited tree — watching over my flower bed like a quiet reminder.

No Judgment Here

That moment reminded me of a conversation I had with my daughter. She shared something that many people would’ve quickly judged. But I didn’t. I just said, “No judgment here.” Because really, who am I to judge anyone?

We’re all just trying to make life easier in our own ways — even when we feel like we’re riding a struggle bus on a cross-country tour.

We glance at others — their clean lawns, their weed-free flower beds, their smiling faces — and we assume their lives are easier. But nobody knows what’s going on behind closed doors or inside someone’s mind. A manicured lawn doesn’t mean peace; it might just mean they hired help because they didn’t have the time or energy to do it themselves.

We all have weeds. Some of us have full-blown maple trees growing where they don’t belong.

And no one’s life is perfect — no matter how it looks from the outside.

The Truth About Appearances

There’s this old British sitcom I love called Keeping Up Appearances. Funny how much truth can hide in comedy. Because let’s be real — that’s what most of us are doing: trying to keep up appearances. Smiling. Nodding. Saying “I’m fine” when we’re really not.

We don’t want to show our ugly. We don’t want others to see the train wreck behind the curtain. But here’s the thing:

Even in the middle of our messy lives, God is still working.

The grass isn’t greener on the other side — it’s just been treated. The weeds don’t grow because the soil has been managed. Maybe by the homeowner, maybe by a hired service. But it’s not greener because life is better there. It’s greener because they’ve handled it differently.

So we come back to the question:

How do you handle your challenges?

Do you try to face them alone? Or do you draw strength from the One who promises never to leave you?

Beauty in the Mess

God placed that tree in my flower bed for a reason — not because it belongs there permanently, but because it serves as a reminder. That even among weeds, misplaced growth, and chaos, there can be beauty. Strength. Life.

Even when life feels like it’s falling apart — when your flower bed has a maple tree in it, and your schedule is packed, and your heart feels worn down — God is still holding you. He’s not put off by your mess. He doesn’t care that your life isn’t perfect.

He just wants you.

So today, as I walk into work, I’m going to put on that bright face. Not to fake it — but because I want to lift others. I don’t know what they’re carrying, and they don’t need my yuck on top of theirs. But if I can offer joy, kindness, compassion — even just a smile — then I believe that God will use that, too.

Final Thought

So maybe this little post will find someone who needed to read it. Maybe you’ve got weeds. Maybe you’ve got a whole forest growing where flowers should be. Maybe you’re just tired.

I hope my messy moment encourages you.

Because no matter how hard life gets, one thing remains true:

God is holding you.

And in that truth, we can face another day — with grace, with compassion, and without judgment.

Take a deep breath. Be kind to others. Be kind to yourself.

Until next time.