Trust like the Trees

Here in Minnesota, it’s getting colder and the pace of change quickens as the calendar turns to November.

The leaves are dying, the trees heading towards empty branches with open space between them. I can already see more of the nearby lake through the trees in our backyard. In a few weeks the view will be all naked, seemingly-devoid-of-life, empty branches.

November can be a bleak month. The waning daylight hours allow more and earlier darkness in our days. Overnight frost kills any lingering gardens. All those beautiful colors fade and fall.

But even in letting go, beauty continues. Right now the fallen leaves are a gorgeous, variegated carpet beneath the trees and over time will compost into nourishment for future growth. The advancing barrenness is not forever. Days of cold emptiness will eventually yield to budding and branching and blooming.

I have seen this to be true in my spiritual life also. Nothing good is lost when I release it into the hands of Father God—He takes it all and transforms it into nourishment for growth in another season.

I need to remember this truth right now:

Life will follow and overtake the upcoming gaps.

Because the loss of beauty and goodness is hitting me hard these days. I am sorting through and selling the contents of Drew’s woodworking shop. It is an emotional gutting as well as a physical one.

Like the stunning trees showcase God’s creativity and artistry, so do the wood, the half-finished projects, and the tools in Drew’s shop represent his creativity and artistry.

Letting go of them I am face-to-face with the loss of beauty and goodness over and over again.

The voice of the enemy tells me there is nothing but emptiness ahead. Barren branches and darkness.

But I know he lies.

I will yet see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. (Psalm 27:13-14)

I will still flourish in the courts of my God. (Psalm 92:12-15)

And if I have a choice in how I respond to my circumstances,

I want to be like a brilliant autumn tree,

releasing even beautiful parts of my life with glory and grace.

Even if it’s followed by empty, naked branches. Even if life seems darker and colder for a time. Because I know new life will come again, fresh and green, expanding into new spaces.

And so, as I savor the waning splendors in front of me, Jesus invites me to trust Him again, and let go, submitting myself to these losses and griefs with Him at my side.

How about you?

Is something good or beautiful in your life coming to an end?

Can you let that beauty and goodness fall into the Father’s hands?