ARE YOU UNIQUE?

Our youngest boy likes to play with fire...let that soak in for a bit.

When our family was asked to light the Advent candle at church a couple years ago, he was more than happy to be the one holding the lighter. If there’s a camp fire to be started and tended to, he’s on it as well. When he starts a camp fire, he has his own way of doing it. He does it differently than I would, so it’s hard for me to just sit and watch him do it without throwing all kinds of advice at him. Thankfully, he’s always had a healthy respect for fire.

Everyone has their own unique way of starting a fire; some form a tee pee, others use the log cabin approach, and some dump gas on it, throw a match and run. Any way you choose, fire is the end result.

Everyone has a uniqueness about them, whether it’s appearance, physical ability, or personality, we’re all different and do things differently. No two trees are identical either and those differences make for a beautiful landscape.

Tree mushrooms are unique. (photo credit: Shakyphotography.com)

...But I enjoy their beauty...Oh, by the way DON"T EAT THEM

Mark 12:31 …Love thy neighbor as yourself.

LET THEM GO, SO THEY CAN GROW

As our oldest boy was packing his car to head back to college a couple weeks ago, his mom stood in the doorway with tears in her eyes, and I watched with pride as he methodically packed everything in its place. As parents, I believe that one of our jobs is to train our children to be independent and live their own lives. If that’s done successfully, it can be the most fulfilling, yet heart wrenching feeling.

Let’s take a moment and think about how trees release their children (seeds). When a tree’s seed is mature, it’s time to let it go. When a seed falls, if it stays too close to the parent tree there may not be enough nourishment for all to thrive and grow effectively. Sometimes animals and rain (jobs, friends, or future spouse) will pick up the seed and carry it further away than intended, but still to a place where it can grow effectively. Ideally, a gentle breeze will cradle it to just the right location where all can admire its growth. The point is, no matter how the seed leaves the tree, it can’t grow if it doesn’t leave.

One of our little seeds safely placed to spout.

Every time our son comes home we’re fulfilled and every time he packs his car to leave it’s heart wrenching. We raised him to the best of our ability and no matter where his travels take him, we must have faith in where he lands and pray the winds carry him home every now and again.

Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

KEEPING MY WORD

The new year is here; it’s that time of year when people make resolution like lose weight, save more money (or save money period), be a better person, stuff like that. Those are all good things to do, and I personally could benefit from by doing all of them, but those aren’t my main focus for this year.

Let’s back up a little bit, I used to think “resolutions” were kind of silly because most people (myself included) don’t usually keep them.  Several years ago, I started making “goals” instead of resolutions.  It felt more serious to me, however it doesn’t matter what you call it if you don’t stick to it. After comparing the definitions of resolution and goals, I realized resolution is a more concrete decision, so I’m going with it.

While planning my resolutions for this year I reflected on some from last year, one of which was to write this blog…and a year later I’m still writing. Whew! The purpose of the blog was to share outdoor stories with a religious message tied in. It really has been a lot of fun and I greatly appreciate you reading it. Some of you share it with others and many have given some heartfelt feedback…thank you! I am very grateful for the many outings with family and friends; I look forward to many more.

One of my resolutions for 2017 is to continue the blog and to create more stories with more people, particularly those that haven’t had the opportunity to enjoy God’s creation. If one of your resolutions or goals is to spend more time outdoors, let me know. Here’s to another great year!

  

1 John 2:5 But whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in Him.