The land of north Louisiana is described as rolling hills, alluvial plains, and forests. I ride the route between Ruston and Gibsland almost daily. I estimate that I have driven 72,000 miles coming to work and going home over my time at Trinity Methodist Church. I very much enjoyed the drive on I-20. In that drive I experience rolling hills, alluvial plains, and forests.
Of late, DOTD has a project on I-20 from Tarbutton Road to the Bienville Parish line. That is approximately eleven miles. Since early in the fall of last year contractors have been clearing the right of way on both sides of the Interstate. They have also removed the trees from the median of the Interstate.
They are efficient and organized when it comes to tree removal. The trees have been ground up. On colder mornings, the mounds of wood chips and mulch appear to be smoking. Or as we used to say, “they can see their breath.” By the afternoon, those mounds of wood chips were hauled off. I wonder what those wood products will become.
Over the course of these months my driving has changed.
The woods were growing remarkably close to the edge of the Interstate. There were multiple trees, that if blown over, would have landed on the roadway. I know it was done for safety. But it has changed my view of the drive. I can see fields not previously seen. I can see cars headed in the opposite direction. I can see the road ahead and how it curves. Strangely the drive seems more spacious. Once the grass grows this spring, it will be a more pleasant drive.
It is also the time of year that I have started trimming things in the yard getting ready for spring. The rose bushes will be introduced to my trimming shears this week. I’m not going to talk about murdering crape myrtles, but you do it if that is your thing.
There are cases where growing things need to be trimmed back or cut down!
The resulting margin allows the plants to grow more fully or the driver to experience new vistas. For you overworked workaholics out there, I’m talking about creating a margin in your life. I’m hinting about taking a day off, getting some rest, cutting back, or going on vacation. For some of you I’m suggesting driving to work another way. You need to see different roads.
If you cut back and trim away some of the stuff you are busy about, you might discover some of the beauty and blessing that God has created for you.
You have noticed that even Jesus needed to get away from the crowds and spend time being with God. If he did it, why do we have such a tough time trying it?