What in the world am I doing?

I am carrying Charlotte on one hip and dragging a 25 foot fallen tree on the other side.

Sweat rolls down my face, rolls down my back, drenches my shirt.

Put Charlotte down, lift tree onto brush pile, stop to take a breath, wipe the sweat from my eyes, pick Charlotte up, and walk back for another tree. 

Repeat.

Repeat.

Repeat.

Repeat.

Why in the world would I do this? 

 There are wonderful inventions and devices today that will scoop and lift, move and carry just about anything that I want.  I could even sit in the cool air conditioned cab while doing it all.

That is not in the budget.

But oddly enough, I don’t think that I would want to use it anyway. I actually prefer it this way. 

As one who was once lost in the tangles of sin and death, now redeemed by and alive in Christ, I derive incredible joy in imitating God’s redeeming act.

Christ took on flesh and dwelled with his creation; not from afar, but closely and personally He came for us.   

It is the use of my own hands grasping the trees, the step of my feet engaging with the ground, the very personal interaction that begins the  process of restoration.

With my hands and strength, my care and attention, I can lovingly and actively participate in restoring God’s creation.

There is a little corner of this world that has been forgotten and abandoned.  

The trees and wilderness keep trying to claim it.

The thorn trees and brambles have settled in.

But now the trees are coming down, the property is opening up, the farm systems are being put into place.  

Fruit trees and berry brambles will come in the spring to replace the thorns and wild shrubs.

Goats and cows will happily munch on the trees and wilderness that creeps in.

Families will live and thrive on this little corner of the world.

Abundance has begun.

I love the work, I love the sweat because I know what it is all for.

I joyfully sweat and work for my family, my community, my church.

I have an incredible opportunity to transform this property.

Would you do it?  

If you had a little bit of earth presented before you that you could care for,

 if you could use it for your family, community, and those that you care about,

would you redeem it?