SEND ME TO THE TREES, DADDY!

When my daughter was 3 years old, I built a rope-swing on a tree in our backyard.

After my project was complete, I invited her to climb aboard. She was hesitant at first but finally agreed to give it a try.

At first she didn’t want to go too high but as we revisited the swing from time to time, and as she trusted me, she became more comfortable and asked to go higher. The higher she went, the more brave she became. Laughing and gripping the rope with white knuckles; she loved that swing.

I remember the day it happened. It was one of those “utopia” days: The sky was beautifully blue, just a few select clouds migrated by, and the sun was simply warm…

As I pushed the swing and kept rhythm, my little girl was belly-laughing and having the time of her life. All-of-the-sudden she exclaimed, “SEND ME TO THE TREES, DADDY!”

So I did. My heart leapt with joy as I gave her a “super-deluxe underdunk” push. She rocketed forward and her little toes touched the branches easily.

She laughed hysterically. I savored the moment.

This story still warms my heart… though it happened many moons ago.

Jesus once said to a crowd (in Matthew 11) “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (from The Message version)

Another, more familiar version states it this way, “For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (NIV)

Jesus was simply saying “Trust me” to the crowd. I have found that when I trust and seek a relationship with him (rather than simply “doing religious stuff”) life becomes much less complicated than when attempting to do things my way.

• My relationship with God becomes a little more intimate.
• My thoughts lean more toward others rather than on what I want or need.
• My time is spent more in scripture and in prayer… and I look forward to them.
• I long for reconciliation and deeper relationships with the people in my life.
• I am free to love others that, in the past, I have classified as enemies.

Ironically, the more I trust God, the more I actually love my life. Which in turn allows me to trust him on an even deeper level. Like my daughter, the more she trusted me, the higher I was able to swing her.

God longs for a deep and meaningful relationship with you too. He can’t wait for you to exclaim, “SEND ME TO THE TREES, DADDY!”