Have you ever noticed how power lines can GREATLY affect the shape of a tree? Every time I head out of our neighborhood I see this one in particular just as I pass through a light.
Or, when I head out to our new Starbucks, I see these trimmed up trees, altered because of the power lines that run through.
The ones I see as I drive around our town are often cut in a “V”. But this whole tree shape thing has really intrigued me. I started doing a little research online and came across several other examples…
It’s up to the power companies to keep these trees trimmed. It takes an actual person to clip each and every branch that’s in danger of coming into contact with the power lines. If the branches are left to grow on their own through the hot wires, fires can erupt. Power is lost. The damage from these incidents can have a lasting impact. The result of these dedicated workers taking the time to trim and prune as to avoid danger, leaves us with all kinds of uniquely-shaped trees.
This Sunday is Mother’s Day. I keep thinking how my mom is kind of like one of these tree-pruners. As I was growing up and began branching out to discover and find my place in the world, my mom was right there watching the direction I was headed, letting me grow, but then pruning me, and redirecting me away from things that were potential hazards. She would nip and clip and sometimes even saw down unsafe areas where I was branching out… places that could have had a lasting negative impact. My mom knew just where I needed to be trimmed to keep me growing, but safe. It’s a process that takes time, attention to detail, careful planning, patience, and steady hands. There are a LOT of branches and there are a LOT of hot wires. The job is not for the faint of heart.
So, Happy Mother’s Day to all the tree-shaping women out there! This includes all women who are trimming and pruning, working hard to keep others growing in a safe direction, and helping to shape them into who they were meant to be. Every time I see one of these uniquely shaped trees, I will thank our heavenly Father that He gave us mothers… soul-shapers, redirectioners, pruning princesses. WE LOVE YOU.
Dear God, thank you for shaped trees. Thank you for those that work hard to trim them, prune them, and keep them branching out where it’s safe. Thank you for eyes to see the gift of moms in random spots of nature. Thank you for the ability to grow away from unsafe places and find our unique design. And thank you for mamas. Our world truly is a safer place because of them.
Do you have any pruning princesses in your life? In what ways did they help shape you into who you are today?
Who are you helping to shape? Sometimes it’s in big ways- sometimes it’s a subtle change of direction you need to tweak. In what ways have you found yourself using the “clippers” to keep hazardous situations away?
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