Clean UP

This fall's trees were a wonderfully unusual display of colors. Bright reds and yellows. But when it came time for the leaves to fall off, they still behaved like normal.

Seems they hang on until the last minute and then they all fall off. Brown and curled up. No longer looking pretty.

With a yard full of trees this means my lawn was buried in leaves.

But yesterday evening just as the sun was setting, the yard heroes arrived in their orange truck. Frenchy's crew to the rescue.

They spent the remaining daylight in the backyard, irritating the dogs with their leaf blowers and lawn mowers. This was about the same time as the arrival as the heating guy to replace a thermostat.

It was doggy bedlam as Dora went into her mode as "Head of Homeland Security" and Thelma displayed her circus act jumping from chair to chair.

This morning I'm anticipating the orange trucks arriving again to finish the front yard leaf cleanup. Frenchy's crew does an awesome job. The yard will look like a park when they are finished as they remove the last of autumn just in time for winter to arrive.

The dragging off of the leaves reminds me of the day to day, season to season things I need to do as a follower of Christ. Important self-checks. Stuff to drag to the curb. Trash to take out.

"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4: 22-32