My family has a tradition. We always get our Christmas tree on Black Friday. It's the earliest you can get one before all the needles fall off just by looking at it wrong. (The week of Christmas I try not to look directly at the tree - always out of the peripheral.) Not only do we get it the same date, but we also get it from the same place which is about thirty minutes away - without the tree on top, of course. Another part of the tradition is showing up at the tree farm totally unprepared and unequipped. Part of the joy is the expressions and stares of others that are there with their gloves, pick-up trucks, roof racks and bungee straps. Some of them probably think we showed up spontaneously as they watch us, in total disbelief, throw a tree on our unprotected car roof without anything to tie it down with.
Now, to this point I'm happy with our tradition. But it's here, the part where the tree has to get secured to the car, that I could do without. You would think, that after five years I would know how to tie the tree down, even without a roof rack and special rope. But what can I say? I'm not your typical outdoorsman. I want to be; I even grew a beard to look like one. I don't know how many times I am told that I have smooth skin after shaking someone's hand. Can I just say this? That comment hurts. Please, if that's you, don't tell a man that his hands are exceptionally silky, buttery, or satin like. Even if you do get caught off guard by the velvetyness, be strong, bite your tongue. It will help the wanna-be outdoorsman continue thinking he's a rugged man.
In that moment, when I'm facing the tree and holding the rope/string stuff that the tree farm gives out for free (you know, for the spontaneous people like me), all common sense and the skill of tying simple knots that I learned at the age of seven leaves me. After fifteen minutes, my wife is asking me what I'm doing and why I haven't asked someone to help me. I shudder at the thought. I tell her that I have everything under control and that I'm not done because I don't have a roof rack to work with. I end up throwing rope every which way, tying all the doors shut so you have to get in and out through the windows. My wife and two kids are each holding the end of a piece of rope from the inside of the car, pulling it tight all the way home. Which brings me to the ride home. You want adventure? You want an adrenaline rush? Don't waste your time and money on skydiving or bungee jumping. Drive down Route 222 with a Christmas tree rolling around your roof. The whole way home, my hands are sweating and my neck is bent two different ways so that at least one eye is on the Douglas. After an hour drive and a few sighs of relief we begin to call neighbors to get us out. This is also a part of the tradition that I could do without.
This year, after the tree was placed in the stand and the lights and ornaments were hung, I went to bed. But God began hanging some thoughts and questions on me. As a result, it occurred to me that there were areas of my life that have kind of been rolling around unsecured. We can falsely believe that our spiritual repairs require less urgency and attention than do our earthly, physical repairs. We can see our physical trees rolling around, and we can imagine what would happen if they were to fall off into oncoming traffic. But when it comes to our spiritual trees, it becomes harder to see and imagine the danger and damage they can cause when mishandled or neglected.
Are there spiritual traditions in your life that shouldn't be repeated? Do you keep showing up at the battlefield over and over again with a plastic knife expecting to win? Are there trees in your life that need re-secured, but for whatever reason you keep driving thinking they'll tie themselves? Are there areas of your life that you've kind of allowed to roll free - away from God's truth? Are there convictions and beliefs that have fallen off along the way that you know deep inside should still be attached? Do you keep ignoring or dealing with circumstances, issues, sins, relationships the same way, experiencing the same devastating results? If you're refusing to do things God's way, you essentially have a loose tree on your hood, and you're one turn away from disaster.
When we're secured to God, we're secured to His truth, His way and His direction. We won't allow other things to recklessly roll around. You see, we can't separate the physical realm from the spiritual realm. It's all intimately connected. If we begin to live with that belief we'll be able to keep both eyes on the road and keep our hands dry.
May we not forget what we ourselves need to be secured to and the inevitable danger and chaos that comes with falling off. May we understand that our physical trees affect our spiritual trees and vice versa. May we continue to hold the hand that's holding ours. And may we continue to give him every fear, every question, every sin, every hurt, every joy, and every weakness, knowing that He takes them, intertwines them, wraps them, ties them, and uses them to make our lives more secure in Him.
Trust, live, and enjoy the ride - you'll get there safely.
Ephesians 3:17 (New Living Translation)
Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.
Now, to this point I'm happy with our tradition. But it's here, the part where the tree has to get secured to the car, that I could do without. You would think, that after five years I would know how to tie the tree down, even without a roof rack and special rope. But what can I say? I'm not your typical outdoorsman. I want to be; I even grew a beard to look like one. I don't know how many times I am told that I have smooth skin after shaking someone's hand. Can I just say this? That comment hurts. Please, if that's you, don't tell a man that his hands are exceptionally silky, buttery, or satin like. Even if you do get caught off guard by the velvetyness, be strong, bite your tongue. It will help the wanna-be outdoorsman continue thinking he's a rugged man.
In that moment, when I'm facing the tree and holding the rope/string stuff that the tree farm gives out for free (you know, for the spontaneous people like me), all common sense and the skill of tying simple knots that I learned at the age of seven leaves me. After fifteen minutes, my wife is asking me what I'm doing and why I haven't asked someone to help me. I shudder at the thought. I tell her that I have everything under control and that I'm not done because I don't have a roof rack to work with. I end up throwing rope every which way, tying all the doors shut so you have to get in and out through the windows. My wife and two kids are each holding the end of a piece of rope from the inside of the car, pulling it tight all the way home. Which brings me to the ride home. You want adventure? You want an adrenaline rush? Don't waste your time and money on skydiving or bungee jumping. Drive down Route 222 with a Christmas tree rolling around your roof. The whole way home, my hands are sweating and my neck is bent two different ways so that at least one eye is on the Douglas. After an hour drive and a few sighs of relief we begin to call neighbors to get us out. This is also a part of the tradition that I could do without.
This year, after the tree was placed in the stand and the lights and ornaments were hung, I went to bed. But God began hanging some thoughts and questions on me. As a result, it occurred to me that there were areas of my life that have kind of been rolling around unsecured. We can falsely believe that our spiritual repairs require less urgency and attention than do our earthly, physical repairs. We can see our physical trees rolling around, and we can imagine what would happen if they were to fall off into oncoming traffic. But when it comes to our spiritual trees, it becomes harder to see and imagine the danger and damage they can cause when mishandled or neglected.
Are there spiritual traditions in your life that shouldn't be repeated? Do you keep showing up at the battlefield over and over again with a plastic knife expecting to win? Are there trees in your life that need re-secured, but for whatever reason you keep driving thinking they'll tie themselves? Are there areas of your life that you've kind of allowed to roll free - away from God's truth? Are there convictions and beliefs that have fallen off along the way that you know deep inside should still be attached? Do you keep ignoring or dealing with circumstances, issues, sins, relationships the same way, experiencing the same devastating results? If you're refusing to do things God's way, you essentially have a loose tree on your hood, and you're one turn away from disaster.
When we're secured to God, we're secured to His truth, His way and His direction. We won't allow other things to recklessly roll around. You see, we can't separate the physical realm from the spiritual realm. It's all intimately connected. If we begin to live with that belief we'll be able to keep both eyes on the road and keep our hands dry.
May we not forget what we ourselves need to be secured to and the inevitable danger and chaos that comes with falling off. May we understand that our physical trees affect our spiritual trees and vice versa. May we continue to hold the hand that's holding ours. And may we continue to give him every fear, every question, every sin, every hurt, every joy, and every weakness, knowing that He takes them, intertwines them, wraps them, ties them, and uses them to make our lives more secure in Him.
Trust, live, and enjoy the ride - you'll get there safely.
Ephesians 3:17 (New Living Translation)
Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.
Comments
Your creative writing, transparent descriptions, and spiritual analogies are friendly and thought provoking.
Keep writing and challenging us,
Keith
Joanne
BTW: Next year PLEASE use my truck. LOL
Have a Merry Christmas.