June 2011 Sam's Lawn
(Note: Last year I attended a Shepherds’ Network meeting, revealing the epidemic of sexual addiction, as a major threat against Christian leaders today. As a result, I began to consider the topic of “addictions” in general, which prompted me to write this allegory. My purpose is to promote discussion, regarding addiction and the important role that an alongsider/discipler can have, in supporting those who are fighting addiction. “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NASB)
Sam’s Lawn
Hi! I’m Sam’s backyard lawn. Sam moved into the house just in front of me many years ago. During those years, he has spent a lot of time with me. I have really appreciated him. He has always been there to make sure I have what I need to accomplish my purpose of being a healthy, green lawn.
You might be wondering . . . if he has met my needs, why would I be writing you. Well, I have to confess that I have had a long battle, which He has fought with me, for most of those years. As I recall, throughout the first year, Sam was pretty busy getting the inside of the house in order. It was the second year, before he began to focus on the outside.
So, my story really begins during our second year together. Sam noticed a few spots of something harmful growing within me, and felt that it needed to be removed. That didn’t sound too difficult. Let’s admit it, there’s always unwanted stuff in yards that needs to be tended to from time to time. So, for a couple of years, Sam was spending much of his time trying to differentiate between what should be growing, from what shouldn’t be growing. It was more difficult than Sam expected. Then one afternoon, he noticed that the twilight exposed the areas that needed to be removed. Sam worked on it and that helped me. We were disappointed though, because it always seemed to sprout up again. I’m sure he wondered if I would ever be free from this affliction, which kept me from achieving my purpose as a lush, green lawn.
After a few more discouraging years, Sam took a sample into a specialist, to see if it could be identified. He was hoping for some easy strategies to apply, so we might do away with it once and for all. The treatment was radical and would temporarily render me useless as a lawn, but would have the best chance of eliminating the problem. Sam let it go for a year, probably thinking that it was too much effort, but he could see that it was only getting worse. Finally, he decided to help me with the radical treatment. It would put my contribution as a lawn on hold, until he could eradicate the problem. I was down for several weeks, before I looked like a healthy lawn again. Looking back, it didn’t take too long and was well worth the effort and expense, or so we thought!
Would you believe it? A year later it was back, and was even worse than before! So, for a few more years, Sam would come out and try to help me with it. But, we could never totally get rid of it. Finally, last year, Sam decided that we should attack it with all available resources, and take the time needed to address it. Every few weeks, I’d get a heavy treatment, until all the green was gone from two large areas of me. Ugh, how humiliating to be like that, and for so long!!! I don’t think I could have endured it, without his willingness to walk through it with me.
One day, Sam happened to be looking at me from one of those computer mapping outfits and my bare spots were actually visible! I thought, “Everyone in the entire world can see me and know that I am in treatment, Ugh!” I think Sam was a little uncomfortable too; that others might know that he hadn’t been able to successfully help me until now. Even still, Sam remained faithful, and every time he saw something green growing in those areas, he treated it. It was a long, lonely, embarrassing and arduous summer!
It finally seemed like I was at a point where I could support green grass again, but to my dismay, Sam really focused in on me! He started looking for roots…digging and digging, until the spots were completely free of roots. I guess even though they looked harmless, some might have had enough life in them to cause me a problem. He dug out 12 bags of roots and soil! They were heavy bags!
Finally, the day came when Sam laid down the new grass, and I was back to fulfilling my purpose as a green lawn. Sam knows me, and has observed that my problem can reappear during a certain season, when something triggers it. I am now entering that season. So, Sam is committed to supporting me, and watching for any areas where it might sprout up again. So far, there have been two small areas that He treated immediately. I’m on the mend from that minor setback, and some day, I will be free from this affliction. Having to be vulnerable was why I dreaded treatment, but Sam couldn’t have helped me, unless I exposed my problem. I am now expecting to be free and healthy this summer, to enjoy Sam’s family, especially his grandchildren! It has been a long battle, and I’m so glad that I had Sam to help me to achieve this victory!
(Note: This allegory falls short, in that, as believers, we have access to the unlimited power of God, through the Holy Spirit. My intention is merely to prompt discussion on how we might be used by God, in the life of a fellow Christian.)
Warmly In Him
Sam & Kathy Johns
