As I look at the tree line in front of my dad’s workshop, I find myself remembering when he first planted the young trees. Over the years, the changing visuals have triggered a series of lesson reflections. The trees have grown and changed over the years. From an early point of requiring nurture to survive to protect the shop from the winds to become mature, and then beyond to an age where care again is needed to ensure their health. At any point in time, there were lessons waiting for my consideration.
In my reflection today, I am caught in the silence created by the passing of their caregiver. His vision is reflected in their enduring protection of the shop they guard. I can feel his presence lingering in the wind. I know he would be pleased with the result. They have contributed, even though there are times when we thought they would be lost to disease, hurricanes, or hail.
I realise that the tree’s stages of growth over time represent an extended example of my intent. Initially, there was so much positive hope in the protection they would offer. In truth, for a few years, they took for care than they gave. As they matured, protection was there, only to be undermined by the threat of too many branches down low. As the trees continued to grow so did the potential destruction within. Looking back, it was an illustration of Paul’s observation; “I decide to do good, but I don’t really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway.” (Romans 7.19) With attention and help, in trimming out the bad, the good dominated and thrived.
As I consider the day ahead, I realise that in each moment of my life, I have an opportunity to see what needs to be trimmed within as I strive to fulfill my calling. The journey is twofold; taking care of the stuff found in the dark night of my soul while responding to the opportunities in the moment that is now.
