Falling Branches

We are getting our first freeze here in Ok today.  It's currently 32 and will be dropping to 29 before the morning.  It's been raining and sleeting (depending on the temp) since early today.  I made it to the store for some ice melt, kleenexes, marshmallows and Redi Whip (because...HOT CHOCOLATE), so we I'm just fine staying inside for the next few days.

Caroline and I were in my bedroom looking at my new bird feeder a few hours ago and heard a large CRACK as a tree branch fell by the barn.  As we started surveying the yard, we found most of the branches on our trees are bent close to the ground--including the 70 year old pecan trees out front.  

Technically it's still fall so our trees are full of leaves.  The trees have been caught unaware and not ready for winter yet.  They haven't shed their leaves yet, so the weather is causing more damage than it normally would when their limbs are bare.

I, of course, could not help but see the analogy to us.  

We all have our things we hold on too.  For trees, their leaves are the things that bring them beauty.  Whether they are budding bright green in the spring or turning yellow and red in the fall.  We judge a tree by its leaves.  It's how we know what type it is.  The leaves are what provide shade in the midst of the summer.  I wonder if the tree feels like those leaves define it...

When winter comes and a tree decides not to give up her leaves, the weight of the ice cause whole branches to crack and break off of her.  It's a horrible sound--I've heard it 3 times this afternoon and my heart drops every time.  

If the tree had given up her leaves before the storm, she would've probably kept all her limbs.  The branches would be bare and able to withstand the weight of the ice clinging to them. And let's face it, it's just beautiful watching multi-colored leaves float to the ground when they aren't covered in ice. 

Are we like those trees?  

How many times do we head into a new season, but refuse to let go of our "leaves?"  How often do we hold tightly thinking we can handle it and pull through?  How many times do we think we are strong enough, yet we are bent so far down under the weight? How many times do we let the leaves define us instead of us?

Instead of letting go so we are upright and whole and can fully embrace the new.

Lord, please give me the wisdom to let go of the old and not only embrace the new season, but to do so with hope and expectancy

 

...and maybe even joy