Tag: parenting

devotions

tree shaping mamas

dailystepsblog

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.

shaped tree neighborhood

Or, when I head out to our new Starbucks, I see these trimmed up trees, altered because of the power lines that run through.

starbuck shaped tree

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…

tree collage

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?

devotions

nailing jello

dailystepsblog

Lately, and quite often (ahem), I keep thinking of the saying, “Raising teenagers is like trying to nail jello to a tree.”  Maybe you would agree?  I remember the first time I read this quote.  I was heading home from work, before we had any kids, and read it on a church marquee.  I thought, “Haha!  How cute- that’s funny!”

Fast forward several years and here I am with three of our four kids now teenagers.  Day after day, I’m trying to nail that jello to the tree.  I still laugh at that analogy, but in a different kind of way.  I laugh at myself for thinking maybe I could actually do it… escape those notorious teen years of trial and prayer and skate through drama-free.  I could nail that jello on where it would be firm, intact, and stay put right where I wanted.  Uh-huh.  Yea.  No big deal.

jello box on tree

Technically, jello can be nailed to a tree.  But, it would have to stay in a box- safe from outside elements.  The thing is, that is not how jello is intended to be- all boxed up.  No necessary ingredients have been added to mix in, strengthen and mold it to it’s desired state.

jelloe cube on tree

So, let’s say we do away with the box.  Take the jello, add water, mix together and let it do it’s thing to firm up. It’s on it’s way to becoming a Luby’s-worthy cube of gelatin goodness.  Yes!  Just like I’d imagined.  I decide to give it a go, find a tree, and try to nail it on.  It may even stay in place for just a bit.  But, not long after, it begins to wiggle and shift and just can’t stay in that one place.  It gets a little sticky and a lot messy oozing out from the grip of the nail.

jello glob on tree

Today, this is where I find myself with raising teenagers. Parenting often feels like a gloppy mess.  I can try really hard to keep them safe in the box.  But that’s not how they were made to live.  I have to expose them to the things that will mold and shape them into the strong, Godly people I know they can be.  But they’re  going to test the water.  They’ll wiggle around, oozing out their independence to find their way… figuring out the right path to be on. It’s a necessary part of growth.  Just like the jello, it will get a little sticky and a lot messy.  I’d imagine every parent before me who has ever raised a teen would agree.

I need to remember our sweet teenagers aren’t meant to have things all figured out.  They need us.  I need to do my part to help these almost-adult young people figure out the person God is calling them to be.  I need to be patient with the process of how they shape and mold.   And, I need to always remember that there will be a mess.  It’s just a fact.  Things will get sticky.  That’s a natural side effect of them figuring out their own way.  And that’s okay.  Messy and sticky.  It’s what happens when you try to nail jello to a tree.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not lean on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do and He will show you which path to take.”     -Proverbs 3:5-6