Lessons Under the Oak Tree by Mary Loudermilk

I visited the old oak tree behind my house today. Since I have a teen that regularly cuts my grass, I seldom spend much time in this area of my yard. But today I decided it was time to trim back the ivy that grows up the tree’s trunk.

When I first moved into this house, there was a bit of ivy growing along the fence line and some around the oak tree. I thought it had a charming look, thinking of scenic pictures of vine-covered cottages. This wasn’t exactly a country cottage, but still the touches of ivy trailing over the fence and climbing the old tree did look somewhat picturesque.

Time passed more quickly than I thought. Life grew very busy, and there was little time to work in my yard. What time I had was spent on my flowers. Somehow trimming the ivy was something to do “next time.” Until today. I made myself march out to the tree, tools in hand.

You can imagine my shock when I noticed just how firmly that ivy had taken over.  Those once innocent-looking vines had aggressively taken over. They had attached themselves just about everywhere—into the grass, over rocks, along the edge of the patio, and of course up the tree. Those trailing tendrils I seemed to remember were now finger thick and nearly impossible to pull loose. This was more work than I thought!

Looking at those now tough vines circling my tree made me pause and ask myself some serious questions. What innocent-looking little things had I ignored in my life until they took a thick, firm hold? Oh, not what we consider ugly sins, but thoughts, attitudes, and habits that I should control as a child of God. At first they did not seem significant, but as time passed they began to crowd out the things around them until they were firmly in control.  How had I not noticed them attaching themselves to me? Now it will take diligent effort to clear them out of my life.

I did not finish trimming the ivy today. It will take more work than I originally thought. The same is true of those things I’ve allowed to creep into my spirit. I must spend time pulling out the roots; I can’t just snip a bit here and there. I’ll attack those thoughts, attitudes and habits with the tools of prayer and the Word.

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