Oh but the trees…
Our beautiful trees.
Full of colorful leaves, wondrous to behold, but lethal to a limb when covered with layer upon layer of ice.
Those red and yellow leaves we so loved, were the deadly weight that ripped branch after branch from our beloved trees. Yards were filled with severed limbs, many trees split and ruined.
Native son, Will Rogers knew what he was talking about when he said, “If you don’t like the weather in Oklahoma, just wait a minute and it will change.”
Was he ever right!
The first ice storm of the year was a surprise last weekend. It was in the sixties the week before and it’s in the sixties this week. But for two days, in the middle, it rained and sleeted and rained and sleeted and pretended like it really was going to get serious about turning to winter.
The fortunate thing was, the ground was still warm enough from our lingering days of Indian Summer, that the pavement stayed wet instead of icy.
But the air was so cold that anything above ground level iced. So many limbs came crashing down on the power lines, that over 100,000 people were without electricity. Our power was off for seven or eight hours, but that was nothing compared to some of my clients who were without for six days.
Another of the many American things I take for granted…heat and lights. A flip of the switch is all it takes…usually.
Thankful, Thankful, Thankful.
Then came the help. A familiar mechanical hum filled the air as church groups and neighbors wielding chainsaws, offered their services.
Spreading some cheer.
Living life to the fullest by giving.
Thankful, Thankful, Thankful.
Our life can look a little too much like those poor trees. Beautiful from the outside, but as the woes of the world begin to weigh us down, we split, fracture and break.
But I began to notice a strange pattern as I drove through the tornadic reminiscent neighborhoods. The trees that remained relatively unscathed? The bare branches, the ones that were unencumbered by the leafy finery that had held on too long.
Sometimes the most important thing we can do is let go.
Sometimes it is the only way we can survive.
Let go of the wish list.
Let go of the trappings of this world that look pretty but weigh us down.
Let go of the dream that the next purchase will bring joy into our lives.
Let go of the idea that “things” will make us happy.
Let go of control and realize we have no control over anything or anyone in our life anyway.
We just fight and push and dictate and end up being miserable when things and people don’t cooperate.
We set ourselves up for disappointment and depression.
So as we near Christmas and gather with family and friends.
Relax,
Let go of the idea of perfect food
And perfect gifts
At a perfect gathering
With perfect people.
Remember Thankful, Thankful, Thankful
It’s not about control, it’s all about the giving.
And enjoy the blessed life we live—made possible by the birth of the one who lived and died to save us all.
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Psalm 42:11 Why my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
-Focus on the blessings.
-Pray for peace, patience and a giving spirit this Christmas season.