What Are We Tending?
Thursday, July 16, 2026
The Federated Church of Chagrin Falls
Take Root • Grow • Bear Fruit • Sow
If you’ve ever planted a garden, you know it doesn’t take long before something else begins to grow. Alongside the tomatoes come the weeds. Alongside the flowers come the thistles. It’s simply part of gardening.
In this Sunday’s Gospel (Matthew 13:24–30, 36–43), Jesus tells a parable about wheat and weeds growing together. The servants immediately want to pull the weeds. The gardener tells them to wait.
Why?
Because gardeners are not called to spend all their energy looking for weeds. They’re called to tend the wheat.
That feels like an important word for our time. We are surrounded by reasons to become discouraged. Every news cycle, every social media feed, every difficult conversation can tempt us to fix our attention on what is wrong. Before long, we can become better at identifying problems than nurturing hope.
But the Dream of God grows differently.
Faithfulness is not pretending there are no weeds. Nor is it allowing the weeds to become the center of our imagination. Faithfulness is patiently tending what God is bringing to life.
Who needs encouragement this week?
Where is trust beginning to grow?
What act of kindness, mercy, or welcome needs your care?
As we continue our Take Root • Grow • Bear Fruit • Sow series, I invite you to read Matthew 13 before Sunday. As you do, notice not only the weeds, but the Gardener. Notice where life is already emerging, often quietly and patiently, in the midst of an imperfect field.
Read Before Sunday
Matthew 13:24–30, 36–43
As you read, resist the temptation to rush to the explanation. Sit with the story itself. Notice the images, the movement, and the questions it raises. What might Jesus be inviting his disciples—and us—to see?
Questions for Reflection
- What “weeds” most easily capture your attention and distract you from the good God is growing?
- Who in your life could use someone to encourage, nurture, or simply stand alongside them this week?
- What would it look like to become a gardener of hope instead of a critic of the field?
I look forward to worshiping with you as we begin this journey together.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Michael
