Fall Leaf Dilemma
We all enjoy the brilliant colors of autumn leaves. However, the picturesque display quickly disappears with a brisk gust of wind. The beautiful fall color turns brown. What do we do with those endless drab piles covering our lawn? Do not throw them away! The only leaves that should be sent to the landfill or burned are those that are from a diseased tree. Instead, use them as beneficial organic material for your lawn or garden. Use your lawn mower to break the leaves up into a finer texture. When there is a large volume of leaves, till them into your garden or use as mulch. If you add them to your compost pile, remember to add some type of green material like manure or kitchen waste. Organic gardeners agree that we should never leave soil bare. Bare soil leads to erosion. It also causes the death of essential microbes. Nature never leaves soil unprotected (bare). In the forest there is leaf matter and pine needles. On the prairie there is grass, wildflowers and brush. I think that once again the Lord is showing us something from His creation.
“For I hold you by your right hand – I the Lord your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.” (Isaiah 41:13)
My youngest son shared a story with my husband and I the other day. He said when his son was a newborn he was holding him one night. His little baby boy was fussy and restless even though his diaper was dry and he had just been fed. My son spoke to him softly, “It’s okay, everything is alright; I’ve got you.” Immediately after he had spoken those words the Lord said to him, “That is exactly what it is like when you face your hardest trials. You are still in my arms; it’s alright, I’ve got you.” Our daughter-in-law then shared a story. She worked as a nanny for several years. She took care of a little three-year-old girl. The little girl was a strong willed little person and she often tried to do things on her own. My daughter-in-law said she patiently stood back and let the little girl try some things on her own. When the little girl got frustrated because she couldn’t accomplish what she was trying to do, my daughter-in-law said to her, “Will you let me help you now?”
I have wasted a lot of time and energy in my life worrying about situations and circumstances. You know what? Not one of those times did my worrying solve the problem. All the while my heavenly Father was patiently standing by saying, “It’s okay, everything is alright, I’ve got you. Will you let me help you now?”
Our conversation with my son and his wife continued. My son made this statement, “When we really lead a selfless life – giving our time and energy to what the Lord has called us to do and serve His people – then, He will always be faithful to see that we have everything that we need.”
Are you struggling today? Have you done everything you know to do? Try this: be still, quiet, now listen. Do you hear Him? He is saying, “It’s okay, everything is alright, I’ve got you. Will you let me help you now?”
“Casting the whole of your care (all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all) on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.” (1 Peter 5:7)