Do you have a Trouble Tree?(DW#25)
We have been talking about simple ways not to let the stress of life impact our family life.
To some extent, all of us take our families for granted. When we are out and about in the world, working or socializing, we tend to behave our best and give our best.
When we come home, we can relax and ‘let our hair down’ so to speak.
The problem is that when we consistently give the best to the world and the ‘left overs’ to the ones that matter most, our relationships suffer.
A story that really inspired me to pause and not to carry the stress of outside world into my home is the story of the Trouble Tree.
The Trouble Tree (Author unknown)
The carpenter I hired to help me restore an old farmhouse had just finished a rough first day on the job. A flat tire made him lose an hour of work, his electric saw quit, and now his ancient pickup truck refused to start. While I drove him home, he sat in stony silence.
On arriving, he invited me in to meet his family. As we walked toward the front door, he paused briefly at a small tree, touching the tips of the branches with both hands.
When opening the door he underwent an amazing transformation. His tanned face was wreathed in smiles and he hugged his two small children and gave his wife a kiss.
Afterward he walked me to the car. We passed the tree and my curiosity got the better of me. I asked him about what I had seen him do earlier.
"Oh, that's my trouble tree," he replied." I know I can't help having troubles on the job, but one thing's for sure, troubles don't belong in the house with my wife and the children. So I just hang them on the tree every night when I come home. Then in the morning I pick them up again."
He paused. "Funny thing is," he smiled, "when I come out in the morning to pick 'em up, there ain't nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night before."
Let us all plant a Trouble Tree at our doorsteps. And nurture it daily by hanging up our troubles before we enter the sanctuary of our homes.
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