Releasing Her Leaves

Releasing Her Leaves

I was watching the trees in all…of…their beautiful splendor this season. What a wonderful, peaceful time of year. Nature utters a more quiet hush, a cozier rhythm, and certainly a more reasonable temperature in this season. Yes, I know all about school schedules and work deadlines and the tremendous amount of expectations that are placed on women during such a holiday filled season. Yet, have you watched the trees? They are gorgeous; the colors, the swaying, the inevitable falling of their leaves. How peaceful.

Usually it is not in our nature to release, we are more…well…”grippers”. We, the female gender, like to hang onto things. Men, also, keep things…and I can show you a garage or two which would offer evidence as proof. But we women are a different kind of keeper. We hold onto things even though those things are the very source which drains us of our strength. A tree which holds onto its leaves cannot nourish both the withering leaves and the roots that will cause new growth in the spring. As seasons come and go, if the tree does not release some of the things she is trying to sustain, her roots will weaken and she will surely topple.

Personally, I hold onto all of my leaves. I count them and arrange them and polish them and try to revive them when I see them starting to fade. And then, when I am exhausted and they inevitably wither anyway and fall from my branches, I feel defeated.

But it is not defeat to let some things go. It is creative design. Surely you know I’m not talking about getting rid of old things. I love old things. And now, that my age is increasing faster than expected, I am very glad I feel that way. Nor, am I talking about people. Experience and tradition offer great depth and understanding. So please do not think that I am talking about replacing experience for energy. I am asking each of you about your leaves.

Are you maintaining a schedule that is overfull?

Or, are you nurturing a hobby that is no longer fulfilling?

Are you doing something just because you have always done it?

Take five minutes and watch the trees. With pen and paper, or whatever electronic thing you use now, ask the Lord to help you re-prioritize your days. Explain to yourself the privileges and responsibilities of each. Weigh them against each other and against the long term goals you have always wanted to accomplish. Get input from your husband or a dear friend who is strong enough to be honest with you. Then, go before the Lord and ask permission for everything still on your list. With the promise of renewed strength, sit down and in the hushed quiet of this beautiful season…release some of your withering leaves.

In obedience
Rhonda D Loucks