We used to have a tree swing in our front yard when all the kids were young. The grass was well worn underneath that swing. The children, and their friends, loved playing on it. Heck, so did I. There’s just something about a swing that makes you feel like your troubles just fly away.
Well, about three years ago, that rope swing had finally seen its better days, and it had to come down.
My youngest son, Cole, has been on a mission for quite some time to replace that swing with a new one. We have had limbs trimmed from the great oak trees in the front yard, and our backyard is just on conducive for a tree swing (just the chair hammock we have). So we weren’t sure where a new swing would go.
A couple of days ago, Cole had finally been determined enough to set out and find a sturdy limb. He had found a couple that would make for a good area to swing, but the limbs were not strong enough. His persistence paid off. He came running in the house and said, “I found one!”
He got a robust piece of wood from Grandpa, and worked with daddy to find the right size rope, drill the holes, and set out to accomplish his task.
Tada…the Shuff home is now equipped with a new tree swing in the front yard. 
It does make the “homify” house, and welcomes all to just relax and enjoy.
Today’s scripture reading was again filled with so much great verses. In Matthew 7:13-8:4 alone could fill pages of devotions for me to write. But when I read Matthew 7:24-29, it reminded me of Cole looking for a sturdy limb to hang his tree swing from.
Matthew 7:24-29
The Wise and Foolish Builders
24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
What is your foundation of life build on? Are you solid in your walk with God? I don’t mean do you go to church, give an occasional “Amen” from your pew, and pray before bedtime or before each meal. I’m talking about actually putting God’s word into practice like He tells us to in the verses above. You’ve got to work God’s word into your daily life. And hopefully by the example you live, God’s word will somehow filtrate into others lives too.
Go ahead and get into the “swing” of things with God. Like I said, “There’s something about a swing.” Hand on to God and let Him take your troubles away.
Blessings to you.
(Thanks, Holly, for being my photographer)
