weeds of patience

At some point in all our lives we are told that everything happens or is here for a reason. And we all think, yeah right, what is a flea really for? Why are there really cockroaches? Why are there weeds? As spring has sprung here in earnest we've been steadily working away at our yard. Two summers ago we graded the whole back and planted beeeeautiful sod. In the process we left a border around the edges to plant trees, flowers, shrubs, etc. However as all things go around here it became a half done project and of course, started to grow weeds. Many, many weeds. So as I sneeze and wheeze and peer through itchy, watery eyes I pull weeds. And for every one I pull it seems that 4 more pop up in it's place. So I take a break one morning and ponder.....why weeds? What are the purpose of weeds? Makes an empty field green I suppose on a lovely spring day but in my yard they are just invasive and take over. And as I attack another deep rooted thistle it strikes me.......I KNOW why there are weeds. Weeds are meant to cultivate patience. I am not a very patient person as most family and friends can tell you. But as I pull my millionth weed of the week I realize weeds are in my yard to teach me better patience. It takes patience to dig and dig and dig to remove a stubborn weed root and patience to keep redigging everyday. If I can have patience for weeds then why not in the rest of my life? More patience with my children and more patience with my life. Patience with the laundry and the traffic and the weather. Even though patience may not be a big deal for some, for me, it needs practice. So as I end this tonight I will still ponder why certain things exist in this world but for weeds I will wonder no more.