💥 God's wisdom is perfect

Pam Padgett, member of the body of Christ: 

 

Proverbs 3:5-6   Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge HIM, and HE shall direct thy paths. 

 

 

Last year we hired a man named Cameron to wrap lights around an amur maple tree.   The result was very pretty.  Some of the neighbors have even commented on how much they enjoy seeing the tree at night.  

 

 

When he did the work, Cameron told us that the tree's lights would need to be re-wrapped in a year for the health of the tree.   

 

During the tree light project, Cameron told us he is a Christian and Joan shared many things of God with him over a few months, keeping in touch with him well after the project was completed.  

 

It has now been a year since the tree was first wrapped with lights, so earlier this week I sent an email to Cameron asking about re-wrapping the tree.  I also told him that Joan had died and shared I Thessalonians 4:13-14 and the joy and peace I have had (rather than sorrow) over Joan's death.  

 

I Thessalonians 4:13-14 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 

 

Cameron's response troubled me.  He said he was sure I was still mourning Joan's death and went on to offer "comfort" that was completely fleshly.  I really didn't want him to come here and re-wrap the tree lights, or for any reason.  

 

In addition, the cost of re-wrapping the tree was quite a bit more than I expected, almost $700.  I like the lights in the tree, but don't think I would miss them if they weren't there.  So spending nearly $700 each year to keep the lights functioning while not damaging the tree didn't seem reasonable to me.  

 

I turned to God with my concerns and asking what to do about Cameron and about the tree lights.  

 

After praying about this, I kept being reminded of an arborist who was scheduled to come see about trimming some cottonwood trees.  I felt I should ask him to look at the amur maple and see if the lights were in any way damaging the tree.  

 

The arborist came on Thursday of this past week and seems to be very competent and conscientious.

 

When I asked him about the tree lights, he carefully inspected the tree and lights.  He told me that he was impressed with how the lights had been installed and that there was no evidence of damage to the tree.  He went on to say that re-wrapping the tree this year was not necessary, that the tree would be fine for another year. 

 

I marveled at how perfect God's direction was in this and that it is such an easy way to go.   The arborist was already scheduled to come here.  After hearing the arborist's recommendation, I simply sent Cameron an email telling what the arborist said and that I had decided to not have the tree re-wrapped at this time. 

 

In the email, I also told Cameron that I really am joyful and not mourning, and that I think this is because of the hope we have about what lies ahead as told us in I Thessalonians 4:13-14.   This is the second message to him about this, and I did not intend to say anything further to him.  Titus 3.  Interestingly, Cameron's response to this email showed agreement with what we are told in I Thessalonians 4.  I was glad to see this.

 

And the way I was given by God in dealing with the tree lights removed all pressure to make a decision "now".  It gives me another year to enjoy the lights and consider and pray about whether to have the tree re-wrapped next year or have the lights removed.   If I keep the lights, $700 for 2 years ($350/year) seems much more reasonable to me.  And, given Cameron's latest response agreeing with scripture, I could have him do the work.   

 

 

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