Thought of the Day 9/14/09

It’s Gardening Time

“Let us be grateful to people who make us happy - they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” - Marcel Proust

In the tree world, pruning is done to remove damaged or sick branches in order to stimulate new growth of the tree. Joel had a nice message yesterday on “Pruning Your Life.” The gist of the message was about when it’s time prune your life my making changes to stimulate new growth.

I often refer to pruning as seasons changing and actually wrote a TOD last year about a season change in my life. When it happened then, it was so obvious. As it was happening, I recall getting the feeling in my chest and the words coming to me in my head: this is it. This particular season is finished, and it’s time for a new one.

Sometimes the changes are put upon you without notice then other times you have to make the changes. That can mean changing a job, moving out of a relationship, rekindling a relationship, changing friends, surroundings, etc. You will know when it’s time as you will get “the funny feeling.” If you are like most, you will probably try to resist the change. That’s human nature. Change is scary and sometimes uncomfortable, but we all need to remember that change is presented in our life for a reason.

My personal belief is that the Good Lord presents change in our lives to make it better. It’s still up to us what to do with it though. As Joel said a few years back: “…sometimes God rocks the boat to see if you are paying attention…if you’re not, He sometimes just turns the boat over…” Sometimes our free will and ego gets in the way of change. So the lesson is if you are not going to listen to change, ya better know how to swim. I know I spend a lot of time treading water. J

Action Item – Are you listening to the opportunities for change in your life? Are there some things you need to prune?

POSITIVE ENERGY

Yesterday after church, I was moved to do a little shopping at the Lakewood Bookstore. I picked up four CD sets of messages: The Power of Words, Positive Living, Keep Pressing Forward, and Enjoy Every Season of Life. I do not know who these CD sets are for, but my “inner voice” told me someone in the TOD group needs them. You know who you are. Send me an email, and I will mail out the respective set to you.

POSITIVE NEWS

The Bright Side
Nora and David hosted an “Ike One Year Later” yard party at their house last night. While the rest of the news has been showing the destruction pictures from last year, we were celebrating making it through the storm with minor issues like no power. It was nice to see 30+ people from their street just get together in the front yard for a little pot luck dinner. You just don’t see that type of positive gathering much anymore. Thanks Nora and David for hosting.