We had tree fellers in at the weekend – well there were two actually (boom boom!!) - to take down some of the overhanging branches in the garden and to create some logs for next years fires. It is a sight to see them hanging from branches in rope harnesses with a chain saw buzzing around.

What always amazes me is the care and patience that they take when bringing down a branch. If it was me I would make one cut and bring it crashing down – I would take the short cut. But no, they first of all cut through all of the rubbishy bits surrounding the branch. This is so that no smaller branches would get in the way of the destined one as it fell. Then they take down the branch a bit at a time until they can make a very clean cut at the point where it meets the trunk and it then falls gently to the ground

Taking short cuts often seems to be a way of quickening the path to success or achievement. Whilst there may be nothing wrong in taking a short cut it can sometimes ensnarl us in ways that take longer in the long run to get out of and we suffer the consequences of not being patient. I am thinking particularly at the moment of the economic situation. It has been so easy in the recent past to get credit to buy something even if you could not afford to pay it back – we are eager to take the short cut to acquire it – with the consequences that many people are struggling.

I was always taught as a traditional banker to ensure that you helped people to take care whenever they borrowed money to ensure that they could repay it. In other words don’t take the short cut – work your way through the hassle first of all and be patient if it can not be afforded immediately.

I was talking about patience on Sunday morning. The Apostle Paul writes a lot about patience which suggests that it’s an important attribute to have. He even prays for the Colossians to be strengthened to have patience. In a “must have it now society” it is something that much of us lack.

How patient are you? Some of the birds in the garden are going to have to be patient with me as I have to get around now to resurrecting their nesting boxes on new branches in time for the new season. They will have to go on higher perches!! Boom boom!!

Till next time

Rich