A few weeks ago, hubby cleaned the garage. I filled plastic bags of items and we gathered all to donate to the Orlando Rescue Mission.
Christmas season soon came and hubby was fulfilling his own mission to help decorate. He pulled the Christmas tree out of the box. It came all equipped with lights. A very cool thing. And grandkids flew open the front door with shouts of excitement, anticipating hanging tree ornaments galore. I handed them the tin with a huge smile at their giggles as we were about to follow our regular tradition. But to our chagrin, the tin only contained a few broken ornaments from years past. We searched every nook and cranny for the correct tin, which we had stored last year after filling it to the brim with beautiful ornaments. They were gone. No doubt, we had packed them with items to be given away.
So there we were, staring at a bare tree lit up but waiting to be dressed. I tried to comfort the kiddoes and wondered how to explain that ornaments are just that–an addition to adorn what is already there. I truly believe that. As I relish, not in decorations but on the company of our grandkids, healthy and full of life. They are the God-created ornaments that adorn our life.
Then another nice thing happened. God smiled. I held up two ornaments–a recent gift from a dear friend. They’re small picture frames. In each, we placed the photo of our grandkids as you see in this picture. And our tree never looked lovelier.
We’re not missing anything this year. We have the main ingredient for the recipe of true happiness. Just enough ornaments to add meaning. Just enough lights to remind us of Christ. And plenty of green to speak of the evergreen nature of Jesus’ love.
Aha! No wonder He said: “Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)
What will you store in your heart this Christmas?
Janet Eckles
If this message resonated with you, please visit Janet’s cyberspace home for more inspiration.