Burning Stumps, Shifting Seasons, and Holy Week

If there is a theme at Larson’s Land over the last few months, it’s been the slow, stubborn process of burning a stump in our front yard.

Whenever the weather was suitable and I had a sliver of free time, I’ve been out there working to remove the trees that were damaged by the tornado. The math on this project is almost funny: It took exactly one day to cut the three trees down. It took one hour to make the brush piles so the yard wasn't a total mess.

And it has taken three months to burn the stumps.

I’ll admit, it hasn't always been my top priority. When I did have time to burn them, I could only get through a little bit at a time. Out of the three stumps, we are down to the final one. But this isn't just any stump. It’s the diameter of a tractor tire—by far the biggest stump I’ve ever had to burn out.

Naturally, I’m up for the challenge. And naturally, I chose to tackle this massive stump right when we have 101 other things going on. Nicole just shakes her head. She would definitely tell you that I like to pile things on. But hey, these things need to be done on the farm.

The 80% Trap

As I’ve been watching this stump smolder, I couldn't help but relate it to everything else going on in our lives.

Here is the truth about a stump: no matter what you do, it will not just disappear unless you intentionally choose to get rid of it. If you choose not to burn it, it just stays right where it is, in the exact same condition, until you decide to pick up where you left off.

It’s the same with our personal goals—whether that’s getting back into running shape, building better habits, or navigating the massive undertaking of setting up a commercial coffee Roastery. You have to intentionally choose to strike the match every single day.

But there’s a deeper lesson here. If you don't remove all of the stump, it’s going to show its face again. In farm terms, that means you’re going to run over it with a lawnmower or trip over it when you thought it was covered by dirt. In life terms, it’s the danger of only taking care of 80% of an issue, only to have that remaining 20% come back and trip you up years later.

Hebrews 12:15

"See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many."

What are the stumps in your life right now that need to be completely burned out?

Closing the Tornado Chapter

For our family, eradicating this final, tractor-tire-sized stump is deeply symbolic. It signifies that we are officially ending the chapter of the tornado.

Once this stump is reduced to ash, we are fully shifting into a season of planting new seeds and growing in this next chapter. God has blessed us with so many opportunities and gifts, and we are praying daily for the discernment to be good stewards of them. It is a massive mindset shift in our household. We are no longer focused on removing the wreckage of the past; we are focused on building the future.

With Spring finally here and the grass starting to green, the timing couldn't be better.

Isaiah 43:18-19

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."

The Ultimate Mindset Shift: Holy Week

Speaking of perfect timing, this is Holy Week.

We had a beautiful Palm Sunday service this past weekend. Before church, my mom called and told Lincoln she’d give him a gift if he could tell her what Palm Sunday actually meant after he went to service. Lincoln, being the resourceful kid he is, immediately Googled it. But it sparked an incredible conversation between us.

Matthew 21:4-5

This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: 'Say to Daughter Zion, See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

We talked about how Jesus rode into town on a donkey to fulfill prophecy—showing ultimate humility as the one true King—while the people waved palm branches in celebration.

But as the week goes on, the celebration turns heavy. This is the week of the Last Supper. This is the week where people looked the other way and abandoned Him. This is the week where Jesus knowingly, willingly gave Himself over to be crucified so that our sins could be forgiven.

It is a Holy Week. It’s a time to reflect on the ultimate sacrifice that allows us to have a future at all.

So as you go through your week—whether you are working, raising kids, or burning out the stubborn stumps in your own life—take a moment to slow down. Give thanks for the grace we’ve been given.

And most importantly: choose to truly live!!!