Clearing Out Dead Wood

When people start trimming bushes and trees you know “spring has sprung.” All winter I’ve been aching to clean out a mass of overgrown deadfalls and broken branches at the back of our property. Recently I asked my brother, Barry, to help me do this. Because he is more adept at tree trimming than I am, I was delighted when he agreed to help.

What I imagined taking all day took only one hour to accomplish. After he went home, I sat in our sunroom admiring all the cut limbs and deadfalls we threw in the woods at the back of our lot. While many would see this as messy, I saw it as future “rabbitat” –habitat for rabbits and birds that nature would create as the vines from the woods envelop these piled trees and branches.

Looking out back, I felt God speak to my heart about a deeper symbolism here—clearing out “mental dead wood!” Paul, in the Bible, explains, “forgetting what lies behind and straining for what lies ahead, I press on…”(Philippians 3:13) We live in such a chaotic time with so many issues clouding our minds (and not coincidentally, a time when suicide rates are climbing dramatically!). A close friend and fellow veteran shared recently that after resisting the need to talk with someone about his PTSD, he finally called a counselor and agreed it was the best move he made in years! With a master’s degree in counseling, I know sometimes what you need is a counselor to objectively listen to you, and provide feedback to help clear out the mental deadfalls.

While it’s not easy for a man to acknowledge that he wants some help, I strongly suggest that if you want to clear the past clutter away (so you are prepared to experience all God has for you in the future) do the same. Some people say that you must be crazy to see a counselor. I say that you’re crazy not to seek counseling when it can be so helpful! And after all, Jesus, every “man’s man”, is the Wonderful Counselor. A godly counselor can be “Jesus with skin on” and a real lifesaver. If you’d like to talk about this further, I’d love to chat with you. Email me at info@yourrefreshedlife.com. Let’s clear out the dead wood today!

Similar Posts

  • Clearing Out Dead Wood

    I am ready for spring, aren’t you? Every day when I look out at my backyard, I get more anxious for warmer weather. One reason we bought our home a year ago was that it backs up to 100-acres of undevelopable woodland. And, like most guys, I love the woods!

    What I do not like is the fallen timbers and rotting branches the prior owner failed to remove. Over the years, these deadfalls became an overgrown, tangled mess. Even worse, many tree branches are wrapped in boa-constrictor like monkey grape vines. These can kill the trees by pulling them down. (If these are in your tress, research them and get rid of them!)

  • Spring Training

    Many sports teams …from high school to pro…are now in Spring Training. While I prefer fishing to football, I understand the concept of preparing for the upcoming season.

    I understand the need for our own “Spring Training.” We joke about the “COVID 15 Pounds” we carry around on our waists, the result of grazing while locked down–but it is real. Comfort food added uncomfortable and unhealthy pounds to us all this year. I was particularly convicted when I read recently in 1 Cor 6:19-20 that “our body is a temple of the Holy Spirit.”

  • Stop the Tailgating

    I have a wonderful plaque on my wall that says, “Nature is the art of my Creator.” Looking out my window and marveling at the snow -covered woods behind my home brings this point so clearly to mind.

    There is nothing like a coat of fresh snow over everything to bring new perspective to life. It is like a heavenly “do-over.” My mistakes in lawn care all disappear under a wonderful blanket of shimmering white snow.