Staring at these trees on a recent walk, the common phrase, “can’t see the forest through the trees” came to mind. Some people say the phrase this way: “can’t see the forest for the trees”. Either way, I wondered how the expression came to be.
USdictionary.com gives origin credit to writer John Heywood from a proverb he wrote back in 1546. The quote reads, “From him who sees no wood for trees/ And yet is busy as the bees/ From him that’s settled on his lees/ And speaketh not without his fees.”
The point is to see the bigger picture when we get bogged down in the weeds. A good metaphor for life when the details and every day cares so cloud our thinking that we lose sight of God’s larger plan.
When my mind gets crowded with the negative stuff I’ve picked up over a day or week, my cure is to get out into those trees, walk a park, look at the sky and regain perspective. Earthly life can deliver some difficult weeks. Thank God He never leaves us alone in the middle of our challenges and prompts us in a variety of ways to seek solace in Him – the only place where real peace can be found.
God bless YOU with a peaceful, relaxing weekend!
Images: mine – family5power.com except book cover: Amazon
Tales from a Mid-Lifer 
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