The Messy Middle

where grace and truth reside

  • About
  • Books
  • Blog
  • Speaking

Faith

Raking leaves is like salvation

 (I wrote this several years ago when I was in the States for graduate studies.)

My parents have lived in the same house for over thirty  years, so the trees in our yard have significantly changed in their ability to output leaves since I was in high school. Significantly.

I’m used to Chinese  trees that have all of their branches hacked off and aren’t allowed to get  overly large. While one of the highlights of the fall has been all of the  leaves and COLOR (oh ‘tis food for the eye and soul!) there sure are a lot of leaves to deal with. In our yard when only about half of the leaves were down the question arose, would be better to do the entire task twice in smaller chunks or wait until all of the leaves were down and we were completely buried.

I went with smaller chunks. So I raked and mowed and had a jolly break from studying. The front lawn was nearly done when a big wind came and suddenly there were leaves all around me. In my Biblical Interpretation class I had done a word study on what it means to work out your salvation (from Philippians). As the leaves fell around me I looked up at the branches and laughingly shouted, “Raking leaves is like salvation; it is done and yet it is still on going.” I am saved and while the work is completely done … there are still some leaves falling that need attending to.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Email

Related

«
»

3 Comments October 22, 2011

About Amy

My name is Amy and I live in the messy middle of life. I have been Redeemed from permanent muck and live with the tension of the Already and Not Yet.

Comments

  1. jan dozeman says

    October 23, 2011 at 9:13 pm

    What a great analogy AND reminder! Thanks, Amy

    Reply
  2. amyglester says

    November 1, 2011 at 10:51 am

    That is a beautiful illustration, and defnitely one that will “stick”.

    Reply
    • Amy says

      November 1, 2011 at 10:59 am

      I think of every time I’m out with a rake :)

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Meet Amy Young

My name is Amy and I live in the messy middle of life. I have been Redeemed from permanent muck and live with the tension of the Already and Not Yet. Read More…

Social

  • View themessymiddle’s profile on Facebook
  • View the_amy_young’s profile on Twitter
  • View amy_young1234’s profile on Instagram
  • View messymiddleamy’s profile on Pinterest
ADD TO FEED READER | CONTACT

welcome, here we

Don't have to choose between extremes. You can embrace life's Messy Middle.

recent posts

  • Becoming More Fruitful is published :)
  • Summer Reading Challenge 2022 is Finished
  • You’re invited to a launch party!
  • Summer Reading Challenge 2022 is here!
  • Top 14 Books of 2021
  • What my book group read in 2021

Archives

meet amy young

My name is Amy and I live in the messy middle of life. I have been Redeemed from permanent muck and live with the tension of the Already and Not Yet. Read More…

explore

  • About
  • Books
  • Blog
  • Speaking

get updates

Copyright © 2023 Amy Young · Customized by A Sacred Journey

{This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Learn more.}