Last night, we finally put up our new duct-tape-free Christmas tree (the one we had been using for the last couple years was falling apart LOL). Well, at least we attempted to do so before we realized that the new pre-lit tree that we bought was a four footer and not the six footer that we wanted. LOL So, I had to pack it up and take it back to Wal-Mart and exchange it.
I almost didn’t get the tree that I wanted. A Wal-Mart employee and I searched all over (and he even checked inventory and all that) to find what I was looking for. However, they didn’t have the six foot pre-lit white tree with white lights - only the one with colored lights. So, just when I thought I had to settle, the Wal-Mart employee generously offered to pack up the display model for me; it was the last one. He said he had other projects to do, but that as the customer, I was more important. For some reason, that was just a breath of fresh air to me because these days, you don’t have store employees going out of their way to help you; and without feeling like you are some sort of burden or obligation to them. This guy seemed genuinely sincere in seeing that I got the tree I wanted. I thanked him generously for his Christmas spirit and goodwill, and he packed it up and took it to customer service for me.
I took the tree home and we put it together and proceeded to decorate it with all of our special ornaments from Christmas past and the ornaments that we purchased for this Christmas. This year, we fell in love with a set of gingerbread people ornaments. Each one had the name of a family member on it: Dad, Mom, Son, and Daughter. So, after I put our special light-up nativity ornament in the center of the tree (and my old favorite: my baby’s first Christmas ornament from 1982 LOL) we put our new family ornaments in a cluster at the top.
As I look at those ornaments, I think of just how special this Christmas is. Every Christmas is special, but this one seems even more memorable. There have been a lot of ups and downs for all of us this year. Sometimes, you wonder how you get through it all. But, because of God, you always make it through!! That “gingerbread family” sticks together just like we do!! If any one of those little gingerbread people were missing from that little cluster of ornaments, it just wouldn’t look the same! It’s nice to have that complete little family; a family that people always compliment us on - and probably even envy!! This family is truly a wonderful family, and I am so grateful for it!! Every time I look at those gingerbread people on our tree, I will think of just how special each member is - even me. All of us, together, make this family complete; with God being the invisible glue that holds us all together.
I was also struck by just how lovely the tree looks. Mitch had a look in his eyes as he looked at the finished product and told me how much he really liked it. It made my heart glad as well, because at first, I had thought that the tree I was looking for was out of reach. So, I almost settled for one that I didn’t truly want; just because it was “there.” But then, that Wal-Mart employee stepped in. He put everything else aside to help me and to see to it that I didn’t have to settle. He saw my needs and he went out of his way to make sure that those needs were taken care of. It just touched my heart, because I saw Jesus in him last night. I saw how He is always there for us, even when we think that maybe He is too “busy” with other “projects” to care about our silly little needs. We don’t want to “bother” or “burden” Him, so we try to take care of things ourselves and just “settle” for the best we can get. We “settle” and then live with the consequences. I’m sure if I had taken that other tree, I would be sitting here in disgust, right now, as I looked at it; regretting my purchase because it truly wasn’t the one I was holding out for. But, because I allowed the employee to help me, I was able to acquire the desire of my heart.
God knows the desires of our heart, and what we are seeking. And, if it’s a desire in line with His Will, He will provide for that. We don’t ever have to settle for less than God’s best for us! He’s never too busy to hear us and help us! Just like that unselfish Wal-Mart employee said; as the customer, I came first. And, as God’s children, we are His first priority as well. He’s always there for us!!
God truly hears the cry of our hearts. He definitely heard it when He sent His Son, Jesus, to save us from our sins! Even if we didn’t realize our deepest need, He did. We don’t often know what we should truly desire, and we settle for whatever fills the “void.” But, God has always known our deepest needs; after all, he created us! He KNEW we needed Jesus!!
Christmas is about celebrating the birthday of Jesus: God’s gift to the world!! Praise God that we have Him, and that we don’t have to “settle” for the empty void of eternal death!! In Christ is eternal life, and when we accept that gift, and refuse to settle for a life without Him, we gain life forever!!!
I don’t know about you, but I refuse to settle for a life without Christ!! He is what completes my being, and I wouldn’t be the same without Him! God bless all who read this and I pray that if anyone reading this wants to receive the most blessed gift they will ever receive in their lifetime, that they will pray and ask Jesus into their heart. And, as always, I am always here to help and to be a good friend to talk to!
May the blessings of Christ’s birth (as well as the blessings of His death and resurrection to life) touch your heart this Christmas, and each and every Christmas, as well as year round!! Amen!
1 comment:
Hey Melissa, I really enjoyed your blog. It really touched me when you said you liked the look in my eye when we were finisher w/ our duct tape free tree. I really like our new tree and it gives a new light and brightness in our front room. That's all for now Sweetheart I love you, Mitchie Bear;)
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