Let Those Leaves Fall – Once and for All

Yesterday, for the first time this year, I had to sweep yellow, brown, and orange leaves from my front porch. Company was coming. I wanted a clean, welcoming porch. I realize that in a matter of days, my porch will be overladen with leaves. It seems I must be in a wind tunnel because my neighbors’ leaves somehow make their way to my front porch and bushes.

As their bright green color fades, it seems the leaves fall almost as quickly as they change. Part of me longs for the leaves to hold on a little longer. "Come on. You’ve got this. Think green!” But graciously the tree only listens to its Maker rather than my senseless longings. In order to flourish in the new season, the tree must let go of its decayed leaves. They’ve done their job well for their season, but their time has drawn to a close.

I am reminded that the leaves display an important lesson for all of us to follow. Just as the trees don’t stubbornly hold on to their dead leaves, so we shouldn’t hold on to the unnecessary weights of negativity that has clung on way too long in our lives. I am so ready to move on to a new season when the old one has been filled with stinking thinking, poor self-image, mistakes made, regrets and disappointments. It’s time to move on to a new season and let go of the past. So, I’m getting my game plan ready for “shaking my tree” to get all those “hanging on” negative leaves to let go and fall – especially the ones that try to impede my peace and joy.

Oh, how God longs to empower and strengthen us for the new season ahead! So much awaits us when we let the past go. “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18,19

It’s time for us to release the grasp of the “dead and unfruitful” leaves that prevent a freshness to the season ahead. Could it be that the decayed leaves have piled up and our heart needs to discard them for good – once and for all? God longs to help us let go. All we have to do is go to Him in prayer and ask Him to shine His light on any thoughts, circumstances, habits or other “decayed leaves” we might be clinging to.

As you and I watch the leaves fall this season, my prayer is that you are reminded to let go of anything that would hinder a fresh relationship with God. I’m praying that prayer for me, too! I’m “letting go” and letting God have His way in me in this blessed new season.

One Man's Trash is a Raccoon's Treasure

I live in a new community where five homes are being built to the east and west of me. The good news about being the first to build in a new subdivision is you have your choice of lots (mine backs up to a beautiful pond). The bad news about being the first to build here, is all the construction traffic that goes along with it. Last week, the garbage truck couldn’t get through the vehicles to pick up my trash. So, this week, I had an over-the-top number of trash bags. When I set my garbage container out last night, I thought “Wonder if this is a mistake – what if there are any varmints around?”

Tada!!! What to my wandering eyes would appear this morning, but my trash (or the remains thereof) spread across my lawn, street and sidewalk!! No doubt, it was raccoons that invaded my trash. Indeed, one man’s trash (or junk) is typically another man’s treasure – and in my case, a raccoon’s FEAST. I scolded myself for ignoring the warning. But, then, again, it gave me thoughts for my Facebook post.

I could post about how much God cares about the birds of the air (or the raccoons) and how He feeds them. Or I could post about how when we get that little nudge or warning, that we are responsive enough to ACT on the warning. Or, I could share the memory that came to me about the estate sale company that my sister-in-law and I owned and operated. We witnessed the “junk” of many become the “treasures” for others. There would be a lid to a Tupperware that was unusable by one, but for another, it was just what they needed. There would be an old baby stroller that was unusable for a baby, but another would buy it to haul things in. There would be a discolored piece of jewelry that one would clean up and turn into a beautiful ornament. There would be an old, beat up window that another would turn into a piece of art. It’s a matter of how we look at life……and stuff.

So, rather than choose just one of the lessons to be learned from my raccoon story, I’ll share them all:
1) Since God cares so much for us AND His creatures…..make sure garbage containers have solid lids on them (from now on, I'll use a bungy cord)! LOL!
2) When God whispers a warning.....don’t dismiss it. It could save us a lot of time and effort instead of having to clean up a mess.
3) Enjoy going to garage and estate sales…..there just might be a treasure hidden amongst the junk.
4) In spite of how we feel about ourselves, perhaps unusable, unlikeable, broken or unwanted, God, the Master Artist and Lover of our souls, will, without complaint, clean up our messes, forgive us for ignoring His voice, and turn us into a beautiful, handcrafted work of art that He can touch and use as vessels of peace, encouragement and joy to bless the l

Acknowledging Him = Straight Paths

“Before you arise from your bed in the morning, I have already arranged the events of your day. Each day provides many opportunities for you to learn My ways and grow closer to Me." -- God

Ever look back on your day, and because of so many distractions or needless worry, you realize that you missed the lessons God was trying to teach you? Even the most inconsequential events could be God speaking. I know He is working on me to be “present” with Him throughout my day, to know those little nudges and kisses from heaven, to experience Him in the beauty around me, and to recognize the undeniable times when He sends angelic protection my way. I sincerely want to live, even though I'm in the middle of traffic, or in a long line at the store, or writing checks for this month's bills -- in the KNOWING He's as close to me as a whispered prayer, and in that knowing, I acknowledge Him, and then I recognize His wisdom and direction in what I'm doing -- in ALL MY WAYS.
".....in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:6.