I grew up on five acres in the country. When we first arrived, there was not a single thing on the land, but during my childhood some fences were erected. The property hosts a rather long driveway, and on each side, a pasture. At the time we needed an enclosure to keep the horses and the cows contained. I was not more than six years old when the fences started going up, but I clearly remember helping to build them. They worked very well at that time of my life, but now it is close to 50 years later and there hasn’t been a need to contain a beast in many years. Yet the fence remained.
It was a field fence with posts every six feet or so, and wire stretched between the posts and nailed on. Along the top was a row of barbed wire, a rather painful deterrent for anyone, or any thing, trying to get over it.
Recently I found myself dwelling on the property of my past and the longer I looked, the more I could see that there were things obstructing my view. So I began clearing the debris. Trees were pruned and brush was removed, overgrown flower beds were cleaned and new plants were sunk into the soil. It was really hard work. And it took some time, as there was no rushing the process. But over the months I began to see a clearer picture and was really enjoying the freedom of the open view.
But as I let my eyes scan over the property, something kept catching my eye. Grass and weeds had grown in and around and through the wire of the fence, and no matter how close I mowed or how long I spent with the weed-eater, it was impossible to remove the unwanted creepers. The weeds were the problem, but it was the fence that allowed them an opportunity to grow.
It was then that I realized that some of the barriers that had been constructed in my past no longer served a purpose, yet the structures remained, altering my view in the present.
They needed to come down.
And so the real work began. It was not possible to pry the nails from the posts, so each section of fencing had to be cut at every square on each end. It was tedious work. Snipping the wire resulted in sharp pieces of metal just looking for something to gouge, and my flesh felt the stabbing pain of piercing over and over again.
In some places, the posts and the wire lifted rather easily out of the ground, but I found as I got closer to the beginning of the drive that the weeds had grown so thick that the fencing had actually been pulled under the ground. It took a lot of intention and digging to free that buried part of the barricade, but I stuck with it, and before too long, I found myself pulling out the last piece of wire remaining. I was exhausted. I was exhilarated. And I am pretty sure I mixed a few tears with my sweat.
I walked back to my front porch, turned around to gaze at my new landscape and saw that my entire view had changed—it was free and unobstructed. And it was worth every bit of the sweat and tears to get that perspective.
That was two years ago, and to this day, no weeds grow along the path where the fence used to be. I would encourage you to take a look at your past, and see if you are mowing around fences that you no longer need. If your view of life is obstructed by the weeds of abuse, insecurity, abandonment, or the need to control, they will remain until you remove the thing to which they cling. These can be fences you’ve built, or ones that someone built for you. We tend to erect fences to keep things out, but others build them to keep you in. Regardless of who actually dug the post holes, fences that no longer serve a purpose need to be torn down, because their presence affects you and those around you more than you realize. The tools needed for the dismantling vary from confession to forgiveness to prayer and Freedom classes or small groups. If you need help taking that first step, reach out to me and we can navigate it together.
You know, that day that I pulled out that last piece of buried wire, I took a long well-deserved shower, had a bite to eat, and then once again made my way to the front porch to gaze at my view. I wasn’t there but a minute when I noticed a rainbow at the end of the drive.
A rainbow.
God’s promise.
It is for freedom that Christ set you free – Gal 5:1
Sounds like a promise to me.
Wowzers!! You just have to love Gods timing. This is EVERYTHING!!! I’m reading She Is Free. It’s great. BUT THIS Actually gave me a visual I can relate to. A plan I can finish!!! It does no good to only get half your fence down. Thank you so much for your words!!! Please keep writing.!!!
I just love this ❤️.
The hard work makes the view have so much value. You give me strength to keep digging at those fence posts, wire, and weeds. And it’s so true….it was built as protection, but has long outworn it’s welcome. Beautifully written 🥰
“These can be fences you’ve built, or ones that someone built for you. We tend to erect fences to keep things out, but others build them to keep you in.”………….Tears, no words.
I have finished this project and understand the years and pain it takes to open the path to freedom and a new perspective……”The tools needed for the dismantling vary from confession to forgiveness to prayer”………I have never prayed for God to repay anyone for pain caused, but that one day He would allow them to see their destruction the day they stood before Him….Then I found REAL freedom….to let it go and not ask God to requite anything, just bless their lives and help them change as He has help me change! 1 Corinth 15:10 “But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain”
“If your view of life is obstructed by the weeds of abuse, insecurity, abandonment, or the need to control, they will remain until you remove the thing to which they cling. These can be fences you’ve built, or ones that someone built for you. We tend to erect fences to keep things out, but others build them to keep you in. ”
Couldn’t have said it any better. Wonderful blog, Sherri. 🙂
Ohhhh Sherri!! Again you have spoken (written) a word for this season. You can get so comfortable with the scenery that you just settle in and even enjoy seeing those wild weeds, despite the slithering critters they invite. But, then comes a time for change, for growth, for that unobstructed view of more… whatever that “more” might be for you. BUT..it takes YOU making that decision to do the work.
I’m in that season now…how much more of that beautiful, unobstructed view do I want? How much more work am I willing to put in? It hurts so much at times! Thankfully God is ok with pulling one fencepost at a time!
I love that you understand and shared the responsibility for change! Sadly some people think knowing God will change them not understanding His Spirit needs our consent to move in us. I have struggled with emotional issues my entire life that used to control me even after I accepted Jesus. It has been the second half of my life that I have done the work in the midst of the struggle and pain you refer to. Seasons are a part of that life change and I know yours will come out stronger than it started. You have the wisdom and willingness to become a new creation in Christ. Times I’ve told God I’m done the Holy Spirit has given me that “peace that passes understanding!” I pray for you the same in this season of your life…Isaiah 40:31 They That Wait Upon The Lord, Shall Renew Their Strength, They Shall Mount Up with Wings of Eagles, They Shall Run and Not Be Weary…they shall walk and not faint….Be blessed…
Beautifully written! Thank You for helping me rip out my fences! I love you!
Beautifully written!! You may have the hand of St. Augustine full of spirit.
Long and laborious they were to go up and slowly they come down. It is a beautiful thing to hear that fences are coming down around me as I work to tear down my own. I can see the weed free and carefully tended parts growing and digging down to remove the ingrown wire is less work than it was in the beginning. Thanks for putting it in words.