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The Weight of Snow Adds Up
By Jason | February 17, 2010
Last week’s record snowfall brought a lot of joy to our area. There were snowmen being built, families playing the snow together, no school, snowball fights, snow ice cream, and more! But there was also the not so fun part that many didn’t anticipate. Did you know that the weight of snow can add up and do a lot of damage? I never really thought about this until this past week huge live oak trees were snapping under the weight of the snow. If you drive around anywhere in our area it’s not unlikely to see broken branches, whole trees cut down, and piles of limbs where people have been cleaning up their yards. The tree’s, while evergreen and sturdy, weren’t prepared for the weight of the snow. This weight caused a lot of damage. I did notice something strange; none of the trees in my front yard had broken limbs. No, it’s not because I am the perfect gardener and have super strong trees. To the contrary, on the evening that it had been snowing so much, my oldest daughter and I made a snowwoman (it was her idea). I noticed that some of the tree limbs were dangling just a few feet from the ground. In order to make our snowwoman more visible, I grabbed my tree saw with the long extension and began shaking the upper branches of the trees to knock off some of the snow and raise the branches up. I basically took off a good portion of the weight they were holding. I didn’t really think anything of it until the next morning I went outside and started noticing how many of my neighbor’s trees had snapped and broken limbs. At that point I was thankful I had shaken the tree limbs because we love our trees and they were still in great shape.We as humans weren’t created to carry all the weight that our broken world puts on our shoulders. Oh, but we try! We struggle, wrestle, and we hide it and we try to shove it away pretending it’s not there. But it’s still there; weighing us down, slowing us down, and keeping us from fulfilling our purpose. And the worst part about that weight, those burdens, and that sins that holds us down is only Jesus can take it off of us. We can’t do it alone. We have to let Him. And that’s not an easy thing to do, because again part of that weight tells us: “You don’t need anyone else. You need these things you are carrying because they are who you are. Don’t you dare let go.” Jesus has the answer for that, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30The relief for that weight is simple. You can’t do it alone. Let Jesus remove that weight, those burdens, and let Him lighten the load you carry.
Topics: Family, Food for thought, Ministry |