When A Tree Falls In Michigan

When a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?

Not the debate I want to post about here today.  I want to talk about the Holy Trinity. Stay with me now.

In case some reader's aren't aware of my situation, I (we) moved down to Indiana to help my parents keep the family farmhouse in the family. But we still have our house in Michigan.

We're not at the Michigan house much. Hardly at all. So basically we don't live there. There are no inhabitants of that house. Is our spirit there? No, not unless we're there. (some may argue this).
Is there laughter, discussions, arguments, or conversations that go on while we're gone? No.

I went there for the month of August, and off and on the whole family came and went. We played games, we took pictures, we met up with old friends, we babysat grandchildren.   We enjoyed an all inclusive family dinner. We resided there for the month of August.

Some of the family even came up and staked out a campsite nearby. That was fun.  We set up a little spot 2 miles down the road with Christmas lights, charcoal, the baby bouncer seat, firewood, and boogie boards.  We ate out there, we sat around the campfire, we talked, we laughed, we played games.  We scratched mosquito bites. We lived out there for a couple of days. We inhabited the campsite.

I'm positive we're not fooling anyone when we're not there.  Even though the timers are set, anyone, friend or foe, can figure out if we're home.  Our presence there makes all the difference.  When there is no answer to; "Anybody home?"  I'm pretty sure my friend doesn't stop by and fix herself a pot of coffee or have happy hour on my porch by herself (she may argue this).

Did I drive out to the campgrounds, after the fact?  Did I pull my lawn chair up around the fire circle at their empty lot and hope for a rendezvous like the week before? No. No one was there. Lot 88 at Hoffmaster, and the house in Michigan are nothing if someone isn't there. They are lumber and nature shells.

It's kinda like that with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. He has to move in to affect you. When we all arrive at 5435 the place gets pretty crowded. We spill out onto the screened in porch, and to the back yard picnic table and fire pit. When the Holy Spirit lives moves in He changes you for the better.  He fills, overflows, comforts, and guides. When He's at home in your soul,  people will know! The lights are on.

Matthew 18:20-22 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” 


Galatians 5:22 says, "The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness. 


May you be blessed today and see the mighty power of God in big and small ways.



Up next: "And now, Autumn."  and I'm already formatting my End Of The Year Video Production.  The songs and photographs play on a loop in my brain, because I'm the Mom, that's why.