Before You Cut

One of the men I respected most as a young man was Tom Fred Tenney.

He had a way of teaching without lecturing.
Southern sayings.
Plain words.
Truth that stayed with you.

One of my favorites was this:

“It’s easy to cut down a tree you did not plant.”

I’ve thought about that line for years.

It’s easy to criticize what we didn’t build.
Easy to dismiss what we didn’t nurture.
Easy to tear apart work, relationships, churches, families, or leaders we never invested ourselves in.

When you didn’t plant the seed,
you don’t feel the cost.
You don’t remember the late nights.
You don’t see the seasons of drought.
You don’t carry the weight of protecting something while it grows.

That’s why I’m careful who I let speak into my life.

A lot of people will waltz into situations they’ve never lived with,
offer opinions they didn’t earn,
and give advice without carrying any of the weight.

They weren’t there for the early mornings.
They didn’t walk through the uncertainty.
They don’t know what it cost to keep showing up.

Perspective matters.
History matters.
Proximity matters.

I’ve learned to listen most closely to the voices
who knelt in the dirt with me,
who understand the seasons,
and who care more about growth than being right.

Not every voice deserves access.
Not every opinion needs a response.

Some words help things grow.
Others just swing an axe.

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#FirstLightwithNate
#Leadership
#Wisdom
#Discernment
#Perspective
#Growth
#EarnedVoices
#LifeLessons

If this resonates, share it with someone learning when to listen and when to protect what’s growing.