I noticed something in a neighborhood I drive by and walk past regularly. There are newish plantings of trees along the street. Some of the trees have leafed out nicely. Some have leafed out partially. One or two have only bare gray branches. For the first couple of years after the trees were planted someone made a lot of effort with those trees. Each wore a green water bag around its trunk looking like a puffer jacket for trees. Someone kept those green puffers full of water all summer long for two years. But some of the trees didn’t survive or are not thriving, and that makes me a little sad.
I confess to being that type of tree-tender. I pay much attention at first but then I get distracted and move on to the next thing and forget to water timely. Or fertilize at the right time. Or keep the mulch from being piled up too closely to the trunk. Then there is a sad tree. Then come the bare gray branches.
I’m wondering if we both (you and me) have some “trees” in our own gardens to tend to. A neighbor who would welcome a conversation over a fresh berry muffin. A kiddo who would be thrilled to meet your dog and tell you all about their own. A friend from a while ago who would love to receive a call or a letter. Maybe the mom with three little ones who could use an extra hand, literally, every now and then. Or the woman you haven’t seen for a few weeks at church. Check in with her and you will both be blessed. Each an opportunity to refill the puffer jacket that helps resupply what we each crave – refreshment, connection, involvement, watered soil for good root growth.
To be about loving our community (one of our core values at PCC), we have to be about sharing kind words along with some of our time and our focus, to both our fellow believers and to those who don’t yet know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Consider these lovingly instructional words from Jesus and later from the Apostle Paul.
You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.
You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to our Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5.13-16
Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. Colossians 4.5-6
Walking in wisdom … making the best use of my time … speech always being gracious. These are convicting encouragements but so needed, so impactful, so worthy for the mission of loving our community with the love of Jesus.
We have a couple of opportunities coming up when we can refill our own puffer jackets of love and kindness and spend some fun and engaging time with others … maybe invite a neighbor to join you.
Also:
Cars + Coffee Car Show on Saturday, July 26 in PCC’s parking lot.
Vacation Bible School on August 4-8 for children in our community Kindergarten through sixth grade.
Here are a couple of VBS prayer points for this week …
- Praise for 17 children already registered for our VBS!
- Pray that families will see signs around Poulsbo inviting them to VBS and make that connection this week.
- Pray for God’s graciousness over all helpers and volunteers; that friendships are forged, much laughter happens, and above all, God is glorified in the conversations and the attitudes and the joy of sharing Jesus!
With anticipation and joy! Colleen