Do you ever experience that moment in life whereby you realize that something is not "quite right"? It is the same feeling that nurse gets when their patient starts acting "funny" and the nurse proactively sends a urine spec and blood sample to the lab and puts the patient on a full monitor because "something" is going down; it is the same experience that one has when the car you are driving is going 100km/h in the wrong direction and while you do not quite know the right direction, you have that odd feeling, it is the opposite way that you are presently travelling.
In fact, it seems soooo out of place, that you cannot help but stop your hurried journey to ponder the story behind it in hopes of being able to bring some degree of understanding as to how it got there.
This picture is not as much of a mystery as one might initially believe; it was taken in the state of New York on a walk. New York had experienced a massive storm whereby there was a lot of destruction: people's houses were flooded, damaging personal belongings, the intricate subway system was buried underwater, leaving people essentially stranded, and trees and fences uprooted, barricading beautiful walkways and ripping open the backyards of people who had previously had some degree of privacy.
Despite knowing how it got there, I cannot help but wonder about the life the tree previously had. Did it ever house a tire swing? A tree fort? Did anyone ever lay a blanket out at its feet for a picnic in great company? Imagine what that tree had heard over the years.
This was the image that stuck with me through the God-time over the last few days, and what a healing image it has been. Something I never would have anticipated when I stopped my walk a few weeks ago to capture this picture... and in doing so, try to capture my fascination with its beauty.
Like the state of New York, I am being called to tidy up. The subway system is now back and functional, people have dried out the majority of their keepsakes and sorted through what is no longer required. It is not necessary for me to try and remove the trees that have fallen on the path, but instead, smile at them, thank them for their years of fresh air, and walk around - momentarily stepping off the path. I recall a wise, collared friend saying something similar to this months ago, but I was overwhelmed by these fallen trees and did not think there was even a way around them.
But now I know better!
In going around the trees, I need to cut away those who have made my journey more about themselves than their own journey... those who put ultimatums on our "friendship" so that they might get the answers they "require"... those who claim they "are personally invested", but the minute they get the information they seek, the conversation is over immediately. Those trees are dead, barricading a path, and potential hazards to an already, challenging journey.
I cannot express how great it feels! In fact, it is the same emotional confidence that comes from stopping the car, examining a map, and finally heading towards the goal destination; the same feeling that comes when a brewing infection is caught before sepsis occurs or lasting damage created! It is the assurance that comes when God's own have confirmation that they are on the right path!! :)
Look out world! I am cleaning house and taking names! :)
