There’s a large oak tree in my backyard. It’s so big around I can’t get my arms around it by far. I call it my swing tree. That name is appropriate because I have a swing hanging from one of its huge limbs. It’s a nice shady spot under those overhanging leafy limbs. Sometimes, I shove my to-do lists aside, and I take my cup of coffee out there early in the morning before it gets too hot and sit in that swing and enjoy some quiet time with God. It’s a special time. And it’s an especially good time to thank him for all the blessings he showers on me every day. That’s part of my prayer and meditation time. You may not have a swing tree, but I’ll bet you can figure out a place to have some solitary time. We really need time to stop all our busyness and just think. If we don’t stop and think about our blessings, we can take them for granted. And, we are so blessed, whether we feel we have our share of this world’s goods or not, just to live in this country. Come to think of it, maybe I should call that tree my Grateful Tree.
Briefly Speaking 