Yesterday we went to pick up our Christmas tree. My 16 year old son fell in love with this pathetic tree and wanted us to buy it. He kept asking and I kept pleading that we concentrate on getting a really pretty tree. We did find a nice tree, but he kept looking at the little tree that was actually for sale for $5 and no one wanted. As much as we have talked about the commercialization of Christmas, here I was contributing to it by not even acknowledging the beauty he saw in the tree, I just noticed the many imperfections. Moved by his tenderness I agreed to buy it. So pleased was the owner of the shop with my son's affection that he gave it to us for free, as long as we took good care of it.
This purchase turned into a project as my son and I tried to make a makeshift tree stand with wood and a big screw. We then glued a pot to hold water and poured rocks to hold the tree steady. We laughed and creatively worked together to make this come through. We set it outside so that the birds would have a nice place to rest during the winter. We filled the needles with sunflower seeds and made strands of popcorn for food. Next we are going to hang pine cones filled with peanut butter and seeds and also fruits. The birds will have a feast this winter!
What started as an imperfect tree, filled the night and the next day with the opportunity to bond and share our love, it provided beauty to a yard devoid of greenery, and it will soon give shelter and food to little birds.
How fortunate we are that God sees beyond our imperfections. He not only accepts us, but celebrates our beauty and our potential to multiply His love and generate good fruit. He knows that we can make this world more peaceful and just, so He looks beyond our defects of today and onto our greatness of tomorrow. I'm grateful for God's unconditional love and for my son's tender heart.
“I didn’t know it was such a bad little tree. It’s not bad at all, really. Maybe all it needs is a little love.” Lucy, Charlie Brown's Christmas
I LOVE the tree! Isn't that neat you got it for free? :)
I popped in from Gayla's. If you don't mind, I'll read some other posts and get to 'know' you...Blessings!
Posted by: Claire | November 28, 2005 at 02:22 AM
terrific narrative Hector
be blessed :)
Posted by: Lorna | November 28, 2005 at 05:10 AM
i love this tree :) what a sweet, sweet story - one your son will remember for the longest time...
Posted by: ~m2~ | November 28, 2005 at 06:41 AM
Ohmygosh! This is great! The whole thing - the tree, the analogy, the tremendous lesson.
Wonderful, Hector! :)
Posted by: Gayla | November 28, 2005 at 10:43 AM
Claire, Lorna, Penni, and Gayla,
thanks for visiting and for your comments. It's from the little things in life that we get the most joy...
Posted by: Hector | November 28, 2005 at 04:48 PM