Good morning.
I will be enjoying my Door County Maple Coffee later today. I don't care what time it is when that first cup of coffee is had. I know it will be mighty fine.
On Monday this week I tackled the job of trimming a few trees on our property. It was a larger chore than I thought it would be. In the mix of trees were Blue Spruce, White Pine, Maple and Apple. I hadn't trimmed the trees in a couple of years and it was showing. Yesterday I took all of the branches to the town dump for disposal. I was careful not to get rid of the Maple branches which make for nice burning in the fire pit or the fireplace next year. There wasn't much maple wood large enough to save, but waste not, want not.
We had one apple tree that had quite a bit of wood at the base and two large branches that died out this summer. When all was said and done I had quite a bit of apple wood that will be used for smoking meat. I had more than enough to share with two good friends and still have plenty for my next pork shoulders. I have two more apple trees to trim that will also provide some wood for smoking.
Psalm 17:8 ESV as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.
I had a lot of branches and brush to haul away. I was determined to get it done before this weekend. Once I started the process of loading our truck with the scrap it started to rain. I have been rained on before. So I tightened up my jacket, pulled down my hat a little tighter and within a couple of hours I was finished with the chore.
Through all of this my wife Rene was right with me. She was stacking brush like a pro. Later we enjoyed a hot cup of chicken soup together. She asked if I had saved the apple wood and I believe she knew the answer. Then she said. "That tree has produced a lot of apples through the years and hopefully the trimming and thinning of the branches will help to produce some more next year."
When God designs something like the apple tree, it is good for fruit, shade, and cooking. That tree has blessed many others with apples and from time to time some wood for smoking. It is the first real sign that spring has arrived when I see the tree full of blossoms.
Look beyond the blossoms and see what God can do with one tree. He is amazing. Think about what He can do with you.
I am blessed.
Marty
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