Pastor Annette's Blog
"OF ALL THE THINGS GOD HAS SHOWN ME, I CAN SPEAK BUT A LITTLE WORD NOT MORE THAN A HONEYBEE CAN CARRY AWAY ON ITS FOOT FROM AN OVERFLOWING JAR."
~ MECHTHILD OF MAGDEBURG, 13TH CENTURY MYSTIC |
"OF ALL THE THINGS GOD HAS SHOWN ME, I CAN SPEAK BUT A LITTLE WORD NOT MORE THAN A HONEYBEE CAN CARRY AWAY ON ITS FOOT FROM AN OVERFLOWING JAR."
~ MECHTHILD OF MAGDEBURG, 13TH CENTURY MYSTIC |
Beloved: I have tree problems at my house. Chunks of red oak weighing five hundred pounds or more litter a side yard. Every time the wind blows hard I imagine being crushed to death by the locust tree which towers over my bedroom roof. It’s splitting at its base and rotting from the inside out. Four pin oaks drop old dead branches constantly which is simply a hassle. Here and there smaller trees will topple soon enough, taking neighboring branches with them. Further away from the house and yard, the woods takes care of itself perfectly but slowly. Up close we suburbanites like things tidier and more dependable. But felling trees by my schedule is highly skilled, dangerous and expensive work. So for as long as the sun shines and the breeze is soft, I procrastinate. Every few months a different tree man notices my tree issues and stops to offer me a free estimate. I always say yes to the estimate and never call them back. Until a couple of weeks ago when, on the morning after an especially windy night, a young man named Tyler knocked on my door. He’s just starting to build his business and he convinced me everything I needed doing could be done at ‘a surprisingly affordable price.' “And,” he said, “I’m glad to work out a payment plan if that is helpful for you.” I admired his confidence and initiative but he seemed so young. Nevertheless I agreed to show him what I needed. Turns out his estimate was so suprisingly affordable that I didn’t need the payment plan. Truth be told, the price reinforced my anxiety about his lack of experience. Tyler and his 4 workers started yesterday. They dangle from ropes with chains saws attached to their belts. They rappel from tree to tree like trapeze artists. Tyler does the most dangerous work, spiked fifty or sixty feet above the ground, sawing off sections of limbs and pushing them whatever direction he wants them to fall. They land and bounce with tremendous thuds, denting the ground and spewing earth. I feel justified in my night fears and embarrassed that I doubted his expertise. Somewhere in all of this are spiritual lessons about procrastination, first impressions and appreciation for the amazing jobs some people do every day. For now, I simply enjoy watching them work. ~ peace & prayers, pastor annette
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I write a Tuesday morning devotional to members and friends of UBC. It is also posted here.
Enjoy! Pastor Annette Copyright
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February 2025
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