Controlled Burn

(all pictures are poor quality because they were taken with my cell phone...sorry)

The smell of burning leaves is one of my all time favorite smells. It's so earthy, and musty, and smoky - it reminds me of roasting s'mores over a campfire.

We live in the country, not too far from a forest. Okay, within walking distance of a forest. We love going for walks in "our woods" - and Cody thinks he should be allowed to run free in his woods.

Last weekend smoke was thick, and the smell of burning leaves was hanging in the air around our home. The woods were on fire.

The forest service was doing a controlled burn.

A controlled burn occurs when woods are purposely burned in order to clear out thick underbrush. Even though we've received quite a bit of rain this winter, most of Texas is still in a drought. The woods were burned because it is much easier to control a burning forest now, in February, after recent rains, then it would be in July or August when everything is hot and dry.

burning at dusk

I have to admit I was kind of sad that they were burning the woods. Even though trees are still standing, and even though it greatly reduces the risk of wildfires this summer. But still, there's something raw and exposed about newly burned woods.

And I realized, maybe, just maybe He is doing a sort of spiritual controlled burn in my life right now. Maybe the three half men leaving last week was a sort of pruning, or molding of my heart to become more like His.

I am reminded of this verse:

I'm so thankful that He will turn this time of morning into praise. And that He makes beauty from ashes.

                            

 

linking up with Heather, Laura, and Jami