Pipe Cleaner Trees
When driving through Canada and Alaska we began to notice a change in the evergreen trees. The harsher winters are evidenced in the trees. They are thinner.
Have you seen those trees at Hobby Lobby or another similar store that has fake decorative trees? Have you seem the ones that are very skinny, mostly just a brown pole with a few branches? They look really bare! I always wondered why people would want a tree like that, one that is mostly bark. After all, real evergreen trees do not look like that! Well, since driving this far north I have come to realize that up here trees really do look like that!
As we drove and my hubby and I were amazed at these trees and trying to describe them, I finally came up with their current name (at least in our family). They are now known as Pipe Cleaner Trees. That is what they look like, really big pipe cleaners!
I was thinking on this the other day. One other characteristic of these trees is the fact that they grow so straight. What is the purpose of a pipe cleaner? Other than the fact that they are great for homeschooling crafts. They are intended to clean pipes. To clean out those areas we are unable to see or reach. That is what God does with his children. He works in our lives and cleanses us. There are areas in our lives that we do not even recognize needs cleaning. God uses his word and his Spirit to show us where we need cleaning. We cannot clean our live by ourselves though, it is God working within us that reaches and cleans those areas. The more God cleans and the deeper he reaches into our heart and lives the straighter we become. We begin to point more and more directly to Christ!
When I see these trees it reminds me that I need to submit to the cleaning of the Lord and in doing so I will stand tall pointing others to Christ! Pipe Cleaner Trees, you have to love God’s creation!
Posted in Alaska, Canada, Christianity, Encouragement, Fruit of the Spirit, Give Thanks, hope, Nature, travel
September 7th, 2008 at 11:51 pm
I have often thought the something about those trees. Why would someone want trees like that? Now, I know that if I lived there, I would. Our big full trees must look so fat to someone who is used to the skinny ones. I like your name for them, it fits perfect!
And your analogy is perfect. Pipe cleaners can reach areas unseen just like the Lord.
September 8th, 2008 at 12:01 am
I, personally, like those trees… mainly because it reminds me of the way out country and little swampy lakes… kind of like in your picture!
I guess I view myself as one of those trees at times- not full, not exactly beautiful.. but quite awkward. 
September 8th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
Pipe cleaner trees…neat!
September 12th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Now I get it!