When we bought our new house three months ago it had a small forest in the back yard.  Many of the trees were small enough that I could manage them – so over the period of about a month I removed twenty two small Pines and Oaks from our yard.  I enjoy the hard work and my kids love the adventure.  It was great.

There were some however that were way to big to mess with.  The dangers of destroying my house, my neighbors, or myself far outweighed my sense of adventure and so this afternoon a local tree company, Goodyear Tree & Stump Service, came with eight guys, four trucks, a giant shredder, stump grinder, and track hoe and destroyed in six hours what it took nature over twenty years to build.

Don’t get me wrong – I wanted the forest out of our backyard.  But as I watched one of the giant pines go down from a second story window I couldn’t help but think how trees are like men. 

They begin small and fragile, then slowly, with time and proper care develop into towers of strength providing shelter and support for those around them. 

As I watched the trees fall I thought of men I’ve known who were cut down in moments through compromise of character.  

As my kids oohed and awed (ok, me too) over the carnage left by these falling giants I uttered two prayers. 

May my character allow me to grow to be a giant – and may my friends and family never have to suffer my fall.

My prayer is the same for you.

God is good – you be too – Josh