03/10/2026
Refusing to release often means refusing to have peace.
I saw this visibly a few years ago when I traveled to visit a friend. As soon as she picked me up from the airport and we started driving, I saw the fallout from a massive 20-inch snow in the middle of fall. But it wasn't the amount of snow still on the ground that grabbed my attention.
It was the broken trees. The branches were piled everywhere, all still clinging to the leaves that hadn't dropped yet. And because the leaves hadn't dropped, the trees broke.
That's what happens when a snow comes early. The trees weren't designed to face snow before releasing their leaves. They weren't made to carry more than they should. And neither are we.
Like a tree, a woman can't carry the weight of two seasons simultaneously. In the violent struggle of trying, she'll miss every bit of joy each season promises to bring.
Release brings with it the gift of peace.
Is there anything in your own life you need to release?
I know there are some opportunities I need to decline. There are good things I need to let go, so I can make room for the best things. Then and only then can my beautiful, bare winter branches receive snow. When we release in peace, we signal we're now ready to receive what's meant for this season, right now.
Dear Lord, You know the things we need to release. Please help us. Our hearts seek to obey You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
