On December 27th some incredibly high winds and what some have identified as a “mini” tornado, blew through our neighborhood. Due to the drought we’ve endured over the past several years, many trees were easily uprooted by the winds, and a few tops snapped off by the tornado, causing a considerable amount of damage.
There are several pines surrounding our home, but one pine leaned precariously toward our lake house. In fact, the branches on the tree’s opposite side had all taken leave, which gave us every reason for concern that the tree might split our house in two following the next big storm.
When our friends next door decided to fell trees in their front yard, we jumped at the opportunity for a reduced price on felling the pine in question. I strongly dislike taking any tree down, but we simply did not want to take the chance of it descending across our home like two different pine trees did to two different homes only two doors down.
So, we accepted the $500 bid from Oliphant’s Tree Service and down it came.
Words cannot describe how thankful I was NOT to be up in that bucket. I’m not scared of heights, but in my opinion, that height coupled with a chainsaw is simply not a wise choice for anyone.
I’m equally thankful there are men out there who make a living out of making unwise choices.
You could not pay me any amount of money to get near a wood chipper.
Note: I’m on the OTHER side of the fence.
Now that everyone thinks I’m a big sissy, have you considered how many people are injured in the United States by mobile wood chippers annually? No? A lot. Thankyouverymuch.
Without all its branches the pine looks considerably less ominous until you compare it to the electrical pole standing back a few feet on the right.
The men made short order of the remaining trunk, lobbing off segment after segment.
Each chunk of the tree dropped into the trailer below with a density that shook the ground.
When all was said and done there was only this stump left. I showed it to Jeff and commented that I felt it showed the “heart” of the tree. I even showed it to my daddy. Both of them thought I was stretching it a bit, but I’m sold that what I saw at the base of that tree was a heart. It reminded me of a favorite childhood book by Shel Silverstein, The Giving Tree.
“I wish that I could give you something….
but I have nothing left.
I am just an old stump.
I am sorry….”
“I don’t need very much now,” said the boy.
“just a quiet place to sit and rest.
I am very tired.”
“Well,” said the tree, straightening
herself up as much as she could,
“well, an old stump is good for sitting and resting
Come, Boy, sit down. Sit down and rest.”
And the boy did.
And the tree was happy.
It feels pretty amazing to make steps to care for our new house, but rest assured that is not where we find our joy. Our joy is found in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It is by HIS grace that we are able to rejoice over the big and little things.
We will praise Him, our Lord and God, with all our heart. We will glorify His name forever! -Psalm 86:12
I wish you joy in the midst of whatever your week brings.