Leaves

As I’m watching leaves flying from every direction, swirling all over the neighborhood, the Lord of the wind and leaves is speaking.  As a big branch from a tree smashed into my window and fell to the ground, the Lord reminded me of His protection.  As my trauma-filled cat has cat-in-the-headlights hypervigilance as he’s freaked out by the wind, leaves, and shaking of our home, God reminds me that we’re safe even when others are full of anxiety. 

He offers His rest and peace amidst the storms.  God made us to live in His peace and to offer His peace and presence to those who are living in fear.

God also uses leaves to remind us that whatever we have is being passed onto others, whether we know it, like it, or not.  Our neighbors can recognize what is ours by its colors, shapes, and types.  All we have to do is look outside and see the mess or the beauty.  We’re called to live in neighborhoods and in community where we all share our best and worst with one another.  Our neighbors see and recognize our good and bad stuff just as we see and recognize theirs.  If you let what’s wrong with you or with them keep you from connecting with, getting to know, and loving one another, then you have a problem.

God already took care of all of our sin problems.  He sacrificed Jesus on the cross and raised Him from the dead.  The Bible said that the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives in us, and He transforms us into His likeness.  He actually uses the trees from other people’s lawns and lives to fertilize our gardens and our lives so that we become more like Him and produce more fruit and vegetables.

If you find yourself getting angry and frustrated because the Lord of the wind and leaves is stirring up every tree and leaf and you, He may want to heal you of your perfectionism, your control issues, or your emotional dysregulation.  If you are experiencing leaf-affective-disorder (LAD), diagnosed by your frustration with the wind or flying leaves, then you may need to grow up and see the beauty that the God of the mess creates to help you to realize that He’s in control and that you’re not.  He made us to be Spirit-blown worshippers who give thanks when everything in our lives seems to be spiraling everywhere except where we want it to be going.  The Lord of the wind and leaves wants us to see His beauty and worship Him when the leaves are in the trees, piled in nice-and-neat piles by the curb, as well as when they’re all flying everywhere.

If you find your anxiety is peaking and your stress is popping out, and if feels like you’re going to lose it again,

I want to invite you to take a power nap or take a break or vacation from whatever you’re thinking about or worrying about.  The only thing you have some control over is yourself, and whatever it takes to help you regain control—go 4 it!  Everyone will be better off. 

I remember how Jesus used to slip away to get time with His Father to restore and to prepare Him for what was coming next.  I’m also reminded of all of the times and ways that God has restored me when my stress was getting the best of me.  I’m very thankful for how God and my family and friends bear with me in love and forgive me for when I’ve messed up.  I’m also thankful that the Holy Spirit is groaning within me, as Christ is interceding for me, as the Father is working above, within, and through me for His will to be done here on earth as it is in heaven.  I don’t deserve or pay attention to all of the good that He’s up to, but I give thanks as He’s working together in all things to conform me to His likeness.

Whether you look out and see the beauty or the mess, God wants you to know that He’s working through it all to get your attention and to make you more like Him.  He who began a good work in you is working to complete it.  Trust Him with the process and with the controls of your life.