Weeds! Illustrated by Angela Eakins

Can you imagine a book or a series of books that are tools for teaching young children the concepts of salvation, sanctification, evangelism, discipleship, prayer, and study? In thirteen years of working with children, I have not encountered many. This story, WEEDS, provides stepping-stones that can eventually lead a child to Christ under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The idea for this book stems from my desire to reach the lost for Christ and glorify my Father in Heaven.

Soooo, once upon a time,…

...Andy and Elly walked and talked and
played with their best friend Josh in a beautiful park. There were slides, swings, and monkey bars.

They loved spending time with Josh under a great big
oak tree. That was their favorite place. They could run
and roll in the grass because there were no WEEDS.

In the middle of the beautiful park there was a
mysterious pond. Josh told them never to go into the water because it was dangerous.

One day, Elly walked by the pond and could not resist.
She disobeyed Josh and put her feet in the water. And
Andy followed right behind her and put his feet in the
water, too.

Elly turned and said, “Andy, I made a mistake.”

And Andy replied, “Elly, I did too.” They were ashamed so they decided to run away before Josh could see them.

Away they went tracking mud all over the beautiful
park. They didn't know it, but there were seeds in that mud and with each step they left a muddy footprint full of ugly seeds.

Those seeds finally started to grow. And guess what?
They grew WEEDS! Andy looked around the park and
saw something he did not like...weeds, weeds, and more WEEDS!

The weeds made stickers and the stickers hurt their feet as they ran and played. The park wasn't the same
beautiful place anymore. Andy said, “Elly, we must work to get rid of these weeds.”

Andy and Elly worked and worked. However, the weeds kept coming back again and again, more and more. Elly cried out, “We need to tell Josh! He will know how to
clean up this mess.”

“You're right,” said Andy, “but where could He be?”

They went to their favorite place near the oak tree
hoping to find Josh. “Oh no,” shouted Elly, “the tree
is gone! It's dead!”

Andy pointed, “Look Elly, the oak tree has been laid down over that great big canyon.”

They saw the oak tree which made a bridge and they saw
Josh on the other side. They ran across the bridge and
jumped into Josh's waiting arms. They both exclaimed,
“Josh, we are so sorry for doing wrong!”

And Josh replied, “You are both forgiven.” Oh, why did Andy and Elly ever run away from Josh and get lost?

Then Andy squealed, “Elly look! No more WEEDS!”

THE END

“Cursed is the ground because of you…it will produce thorns and thistles for you.” Genesis 3:17-18