Spanish Moss and Mistletoe

When I think of childhood memories at the beach, I picture a landscape painted with ocean tides and sandy beaches and coastal oaks covered in swaying Spanish Moss.

I’ve always heard that Spanish Moss is a parasite, but I’ve done a little research and it turns out that it is actually neither a moss nor is it Spanish. It is a flowering herb - not a parasite.

On the other hand, another tree-lover, Oak Mistletoe, is a Christmas favorite. Popularized in romantic holiday songs and movies, this plant IS actually a parasite, and damages its host tree.

It’s a little confusing, right?

I know that I have parasites that attach to my life - things that look great from the outside, but are not for my good. Busyness is one such parasite for me. It is celebrated by a world that loves productivity and long hours and burning the candle at both ends. But on the inside, it wears me to exhaustion; I am hard-pressed, running in endless circles. 

This can’t possibly be God’s best for me. It saps my physical and spiritual strength. It fuels my pride. It draws me away from being the best person God has made me to be.

Consciously ridding ourselves of the attitudes and actions that deplete our strength and distract our focus can increase our dependency on God and offer opportunities to grow in the fruits of the Spirit.

For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. 

James 1:3-4 NLT

We need to examine our lives and discern what is beneficial for our spiritual growth and what is not, releasing the behaviors which take us away from God while nurturing those attitudes and commitments that draw us closer to Him. 

When we allow ourselves the opportunity to grow and mature into Christ-likeness, our lives will be full and whole.

So this week, think about Spanish Moss and Mistletoe as you begin your summer.

What can you shed and what can you nurture in this season that will draw you nearer to God?

*Information from USDA NCRS National Plant Data Center

Today is a GOOD day,

Natalie