A Beautiful Garden

Last evening I went for a walk around the block. As I strolled along the footpath, I noticed three different types of yards.
There were neat and tidy yards. Lawns mowed, weeds sprayed and no rubbish. But that is all there was. No beauty. No flowers. Just bare and empty.
Then there were the untidy, overgrown unattractive yards. Any flowers were drowned out by the long weeds.
Lastly, there were the beautiful, cared for yards. Grass mowed,weeds pulled, rubbish picked up, hedges trimmed. Beautiful flowers, full of color and fragrance, for people walking past to enjoy.
A prayer came to my mind.
 Lord, make my life to be like this last kind of yard. Remove the weeds of sin. Keep me maintained--humble and free from unnecessary distractions. Pull out the ugly fears, selfishness and greed. Grow beautiful flowers like love, joy, peace and contentment. Help me to bring joy to others. Don't let the weeds take over. Bring whatever pruning, cutting and pulling is needed to keep me in shape. Make my life a beautiful garden where Your fragrant flowers may bloom. Give a balance of rain and sunshine, so I don't become barren and dry.