Growing in Grace and Joy

This year we began where we left off. 

Last summer we built a shop - something we have planned to do for a long time. We even sacrificed our summer holidays to get it done, and we are so thankful to have it up and closed in. There is plenty of work still to do inside, but that is a story for another day.

This is what it looks like right now.

Part of preparing to put the shop in was the need to both lower and level the ground. It sits where our old greenhouse once was and the soil was good topsoil, so we dug it down and moved it all to a new location. 

This photo shows the water collecting after rain where
we had begun to dig the dirt out... we did quite a bit more after this.

To the east we had a row of trees that were encroaching on the fence, so not only were we building a shop, but we also had a half dozen trees to take down. We don't currently have a working chainsaw, so we took them down with a bow saw. We had one left to do this spring, so this week, the two of us went out with our trusty saw and a rope to direct the tree in its fall we cut....

TIMBER!!!

It landed right where we wanted it. 

I love trees so much that it almost hurt to take down the last one. It was so tall, green, and beautiful, but one thing I love about these particular trees is that they sucker. That is not a trait I usually appreciate in trees, but with these being so close to the fence, we now have a few baby trees growing up from the roots - the next generation if you will. Since they grow so fast, it won't be long before we have more beautiful trees, but we will put them in locations that we can better enjoy.

Our first little sucker...

I think people are a lot like trees. This little sucker is leaning and has a few leaves that are damaged, and I'm not sure but what it didn't get stepped on a couple of times as we cut down that last big tree. Yet, I have seen these little trees grow into amazing plants, just as tall and majestic and functional as their parent trees. I recently came across the term "errant valiant" referring to people who may be in a state of confusion at this time in their lives, but it doesn't change how valiant they were when still living in God's presence. He sees us for how valiant He knows us to be and for what we can become. While we may still be struggling to grow, to get our roots down securely and reach for the sky, He sees us as the beautiful trees we will one day be. I love how this helps me think of even those who judge me or who I find hard to be around still as one of God's valiant, beloved souls. 

It is so important to keep the ax of sharp words, unkind acts, or judgment from the tender trunks of God's trees... rather, let us nurture one another with love and grace. We can allow for mistakes without passing judgment, and instead support and encourage the change that helps us reach toward heaven as we grow into the mature and strong trees we are meant to be. Jesus gives us grace, and we in turn can do so much good, and spread so much joy, by give grace to others.