The second story in the TO BE OR NOT TO BEE SERIES released this month. You can find THE MONKEY, THE TIGER, AND LITTLE MISS in paperback and e-book formats. They are available on Amazon. They can also be ordered through Barnes & Noble and other fine bookstores. (Third grade level read.)

 

I’ve always had a thing for containers—

 

You can look around my house and see pottery. My containers don’t bug me if they are empty, either. I wondered if there is perhaps some deep-seated meaning for that. So I got to wondering— what does God think about vessels. 

The Bible tells us “those who cleanse themselves” become vessels (2 Tim. 2:21) ready to be used by God. Each of us is but a frail vessel, “But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.” (2 Cor. 4:7).

God is working through our lives despite many forms of opposition that come roaring against us. I.e., typhoons, tornadoes, fires, family concerns, finances, etc. Despite these things, the Bible is full of stories of God positioning his vessels (men and women) for specific purposes according to His will. We can be with families, neighbors, and friends as they share with us the stories of the cracks in their vessels. We can lift each other's burdens to the Potter. He is the only one that can mend the cracks and strengthen the vessels.

At times, we may feel our vessel is getting empty. During those times, we need to pour more of Him into it. Reading His Word is always a good thing. We are designed and created to contain Him...God.

Would there be anything better than God to put into our physical containers in 2022. As for the pottery in the house, I'll leave it alone for now. Eventually, I'll put something in one or two.

 

The traffic was a jam and not in a sweet way…

Yesterday was one of those days! It seemed life was doing a push-back. The traffic was a jam and not in a sweet way. The wait time in the doctor’s office took forever (can I get an Amen), and Chipotle was short-staffed, resulting in a long wait line. When it was my turn to order, I found out they were out of salsa! I think I have an idea where that salsa is sitting!

So, when I feel extra small in this big, complex world, it would do me well to remember to take a few heartbeats and find the peace God wants for me. There is hope in knowing God is “with us,” (Emmanuel). “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

That is His promise to each of us. So, I make Isaiah 41:10 my prayer for each reader during this Holiday season. When life gets crazy, may we have peace in our hearts. So as God walks by our sides this December, may we remember to give, love, and try to be thankful for every little thing that happens in our life. For isn’t every day a gift from God? And, in any season, it is the best time of the year no matter the jams in our lives. 

Merry Christmas, everyone, and a blessed New Year!

Verse of the month:

Luke 2:7: “And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”

 

 

WATCH YOUNG IMAGINATIONS SOAR!

"TO BE OR NOT TO BEE SERIES"

Books for children

 

Whether children listen or read for themselves, the "TO BE OR NOT TO BEE SERIES" books are sure to delight. Each book in the series takes children to a make believe place in Atler County. Watch lovable characters and animals wake imaginations as they invite your children to join in on an adventure or visit a place full of wackiness and fun.

The first 32-page pictured story book, The OWL WHO LOST HIS HOOT, can be found on Amazon in time for Christmas shopping. Each book in the series introduces a positive character trait in a fun and loving way.

Whether your five through eight-year- old boy or girl listens to the story before bedtime or is an emergent reader, the lovable characters are sure to become memorable lifelong friends. 

 

THE OWL WHO LOST HIS HOOT

C.K. SHARPE

 AVAILABLE FOR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING 

 STARTING THANKSGIVING DAY

ON AMAZON!

 (e-BOOK and Paperback) 

 

“The cost of doing nothing costs everything!”

I heard these words at a Writer’s Conference I attended in October. The main character of any story must be willing to make the necessary sacrifice to reach their goal or solve a problem. The main character may have to deal with the depth of the forbidden, human personalities, powers of persuasion, and what motivates.

Deep stuff.

For sure, we write our life stories day-by-day. Haven’t most of us had to deal with the depth of the forbidden? Human personalities? Powers of persuasion by outside or internal forces?

What motivates is a hard issue?  What inspires and motivates one person may not inspire the guy next door. But, I think if we keep prayer at the forefront of our lives, we can survive any deep-dive situation (like the conference.)  We can always look to the Lord’s Prayer as our guide for prayer. We can search the Bible to learn how to deal with the forbidden, human personalities, and powers that think they influence.

But we all need the greatest motivator of how to live our life. And, He is the main character of the Bible, Jesus. That is who taught me, the cost of doing nothing costs everything.

Verse of the month:

Luke 11:1-4 The Lord’s Prayer

 

Here, take my concerns. I don’t want them—

I haven’t seen a toddler yet that didn’t find it hard to share with others. I can remember telling my children to “play nice.” Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn’t. In the cases it didn’t, intervention (fill in the blank) was necessary.

I often find it hard to share with Jesus. There are mornings I just can’t picture my bedhead sharing my concerns with anyone, let alone “bother” God with them. If I would let go and let God, I know I could relax in the day’s journey. Although prayer bursts come naturally during the day, I know I need to consistently start my day the same way I end it— with prayer, Somewhere in the small print of my heart I’d probably find a guarantee for fewer frown lines if I would begin and end my day in the same way.

As Matthew 6:34 says, “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Even though I know this is a truth from God, I continue to hold tight to itty-bitty pieces of anxiety. Just this past week, a friend’s husband died, a family I know is recovering from Covid (as of this writing, one is still in the hospital), and a 12-year-old told me how difficult it is at school. Catching up is impossible and she is afraid of a do over school year....

There is a simple answer to life’s itty-bitty anxieties and for the overwhelming burdens that knock us on our tushes. Not only do we need to share our troubles with the Lord, but we need to hand them over to Him. He doesn’t want them gift-wrapped. Hand them to him through raw, plain, simple, heartfelt prayer. His throne is always open to us even if we come before him with bedhead hair.

Philippians 4:6-7 ESV

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

 Anti-lock breaks working—Check. LORD Helping Us—check...

On Thursday, we packed Tom’s little Cobra Daytona for an excursion around the Appalachian mountains up North. As we were doing last-minute checks, we noticed the stoplights weren’t working. Tom tried for a half hour to figure out the wiring, but everything looked good. We were on the clock to meet friends and drive up together, so we decided to take my SLK.

I found out life does not flash before your eyes if you have a near-catastrophic event. I don’t think Tom or I will ever forget August 20^th, 2021 the day an Angel of the Lord lifted the right front of our car and turned it away from an SUV-trailer combo making a left turn less than 100 feet in front of us. (Oh, but for the grace of God.) Did I forget to tell you we were traveling 65 MPH right toward it with Tom’s foot full bore on the brakes and screeching tires? I felt the seat belt automatically tighten around me. With eyes wide open, we knew we could not avoid a full head-on into the side of that box trailer.

But we did!

“Did you feel the right side of our car lift and turn away from the trailer?” Tom asked me.

“Yes, I did, but I thought I was imagining it.”

“You weren’t imagining it.”

There wasn’t any magic to it as the right side of our vehicle lifted and avoided clipping the trailer. The LORD had sent us help, just when we needed it.

It gives me the chills when thinking about his unending love and knowing His eyes are always upon us. In our case, a few days ago, we were participants in an awe-inspiring event. We felt His presence at work in our lives through the work of His Angels.

The good that can come out of something potentially bad or, God forbid, rocks one’s family in sadness, isn’t always obvious or immediate, but that doesn’t mean the good isn’t there. We have a God that watches over all of us and guides all of us through life’s many twists and turns. We can count on it.

Verse for the Month:

Psalm 121:8 – “The LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”

Happy Birthday, Doc!

Sitting in the dentist chair today, I waited as bravely as I could, as the dentist gave me eight hits of Novocaine. Really, Doc! Was there a sale on that stuff?

So here he is, bent over me, with a needle in hand. All the while he was administering pain relief, he was talking to his assistant. Apparently, it was Doc’s birthday and he wished he could be 35 again—News flash, Doc. I would like to knock a few years off myself, with my deep cleaned teeth intact, thank you very much.

He said he would like to have an undo button so he could go back and do a few things differently. Didn’t he know he doesn’t need an undo button? But since my mouth was full of fingers, needle pokes, and a suction doohickey, I lost my opportunity to tell him. Why? Because as soon as he was done, he ran out of the patient room to give pain relief to his next victim—I mean, patient.

Since I had lost any sensation in the right half of my “head” I couldn’t have said anything, even if he had stuck around. However, my heart knows, a missed opportunity is a missed opportunity.

Next time an opportunity presents itself, I will say to him, “In one heart-felt prayer Jesus’ forgiveness—His undo button—wipes away sin, guilt, and regrets forever.”

I’m pretty sure if I had told him that, he would have felt younger.

“The gospel of Christ grants us freedom from the condemnation that still hunts us daily (Romans 8:1) The gospel is so powerful that it doesn’t have to undo our past sins. Instead, it redeems them and turns them around for our good and for God’s glory.”—a great quote is taken from Desiring God.org.

 

There’s something special about a sea of red, white, and blue flags waving on a spirit-filled street. 

I didn’t realize until I got older how special it is to have holidays noted on the calendar. I must admit I don’t celebrate every holiday, and as an American, that’s my choice. But July 4th is special to me. First, July 4^th is the first part of the last half of the year. It plunges most of the country into the dog days of summer, cold watermelon, and fireflies. What’s not to like?

The 4^th begs the patriotic to watch a parade. I love watching a sea of red, white, and blue flags filling a spirited street – Ole Glory at her best. Even choosing whether to stand, park myself on a sunny street curb or find a coveted place in the shade to wave my flag becomes an event. I particularly like to find a choice spot where I can watch candy being thrown from floats to young and old alike. While I sip sweet tea from an insulated 16-oz., it gives me a sweet time to reflect on life and liberty. 

Some citizens go to parks to spread checkered tablecloths over picnic tables. Others will celebrate with backyard barbecues, bicycle rides, hitting balls of all types, swimming in Auntie’s pool, watching grandchildren play, or hanging out waiting for the homemade ice cream to finish churning. Whether its sinking teeth into a cold slice of watermelon or grabbing a napkin to catch the drips from a juicy hamburger, ribs, hot-dog or saUSAage, most of us will find no matter how we celebrate this 4^th, life is pretty good in America.

It is sad to think of a Nation having to suffer to bring about its freedom. For those that protect now and for those that courageously rescued us from dark periods in history, may we honor them by living our best lives in a land that mostly honors life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

As a Nation watches the last fireworks tear across the sky honoring our nation’s freedom, I hope some of its people take a moment to honor the One who came to give us spiritual freedom. I can only hope as our hands clap at the bursts of light in the sky on the evening of the 4th, we clasp our hands flat together for the God-man that rode into a city on a donkey, shared supper with his friends and relatives, and soon after bore stripes of red and blue for us across His back.

As we celebrate on the 4^th, I picture in my mind a Nation standing shoulder to shoulder, united in our founding fathers beliefs, and looking forward to a future day of ultimate celebration. That day is the day Jesus comes back wearing white, the color of heavenly victory.

God bless you and yours. Have a great 4th and be safe.

2 Corinthians 4:6 AMP

“For God Who said, Let light shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts so as [to beam forth] the Light for the illumination of the knowledge of the majesty and glory of God [as it is manifest in the Person and is revealed] in the face of Jesus Christ (the Messiah).”

•    "You can put lipstick on a pig, but it is still a pig!"

I like pigs, but I prefer my pigs in the form of bacon with two eggs on the side. Better yet, slow-smoked in my son’s Big Green Egg bathed in bar-be-cue sauce. Over time, my husband and I have found our home wears a lot of lipstick—not in attractive colors either.

The latest pig in a poke was our home’s side entrance. Better known down south as the friend’s porch. The concrete around the flagstone was crumbling. Repairs were overdue. When the contractor tore it out, we were told there wasn’t an adequate foundation underneath. Surprise! Surprise!­—my interpretation of Mayberry’s Gomer Pyle.

There were concrete blocks, you know, the heavy ones with the holes in them, and a sundry of construction junk. How did the porch withstand weight, rain, and passage of time? One can only speculate. The repairs included removing the weak foundation. Then, and only then, could the porch be rebuilt.

Isn’t that the same with our hearts? We can apply all the cosmetics we want, but it probably needs a rework if we feel it crumbling. The heart needs the right contractor, too.

We are fortunate. We can call on Jesus to assess our heart condition and get rid of the junk. (Jesus will gladly do the cleaning). Only then can we be rebuilt and benefit from a foundation laid with suitable materials (God’s Word). Upon that foundation, we apply our stone (Spiritual fruit). We will find when He rebuilds and we maintain His work correctly, we will last a lifetime.

Some day, I’ll ask my husband if he is ready to tackle another home improvement project. I could expect to hear, “When pigs fly!” But really, that sounds more like something I might say. Until that time, where’s that lipstick.

Verse of the Month:

Psalm 127:1 “Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor uselessly...”

 

Do We Need Ruby Red Slippers To Get Home?

“There’s no place like home. There’s no place like home,” says Dorothy in one of L. Frank’s Baum’s 1900 novel adaptations of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. With three clicks of her heels, Dorothy put her faith in a pair of ruby red slippers that assures her a way back home. What would happen if she doesn’t click those shoes three times? Maybe, just two times? Would Dorothy stay in the Land of Oz with the beast, “Oz, the great and terrible” forever?

As far as one can tell, Satan never quits his encouragement to walk the yellow-brick road to destruction. Today it seems easier to fall prey to the terrible deceiver of this world. Evil promises freedom, glory, riches, and power, but in the end, it delivers bondage, condemnation, spiritual poverty, and weakness. Scripture says the devil roams about the earth seeking those he may destroy. The year 2020 and so far, 2021 is a reminder of evil forces at work on the earth.

“And I should not have had my lovely heart,” said the Tin Woodman. “I might have stood and rusted in the forest till the end of the world.”[1] The gift of a tin heart changes the Tin Woodman. His power of perception awakens; otherwise, how would he know his need for a heart?

Jesus can remove hearts of stone and gift one of flesh. ––See Ezekiel 36:26. A new heart starts a spiritual life that drives behavior. The hope within the heart looks to the one that has POWER over sin. “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,”––Colossians 1:13. One can rely on "the One" that gives FREEDOM. God has promised eternal life. —See John 10:27,28.

Glenda, the good witch, told Dorothy she has the ability to get back home. All she has to say is where she wants to go and click those ruby red slippers. It takes one spiritual click of a heart to ensure an eternal home in Heaven. How so? By faith accepting his work of atonement, redemption, reconciliation, and salvation through Jesus, our sin-bearer.

I can’t leave out the famous comment of the wicked witch of the north. She said, “My world, my world. How can such a good little girl like you destroy all of my beautiful wickedness.”[2]

To that, we reply, “Got Jesus!”

Verse for the Month:

 “because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9 ESV. 

---

[1] L. Frank Baum: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: Glinda The Good ...

https://baum.thefreelibrary.com/The-Wonderful-Wizard-of-Oz/23-1

 

[

 

Slumber is no more, for winter’s protection has melted away…

Birth of Spring

 

Slumber is no more, for winter’s protection has melted away

Away, so arise bud, and create Spring’s colorful bouquet.  

 

Bouquet of blooms will soon feed bees their sweet nectar 

Nectar offered from flowers swooning in spring breezes 

Breezes that capture songbirds melodic harmonies

Harmonies of  joyful news of springtime arrival.

 

Arrival of Spring given by creation’s Master    

Master who gifts to us this beautiful season

Season of fleeting moments for us to enjoy

Enjoy for as long as it blooms.

 

I wrote this chain verse ten years ago, April 2011, about the birth of Spring.

May joy be yours this Easter Sunday as we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord.

 

Verse of Month:

Psalm 85:11 NIV

“Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and

righteousness looks down from heaven.”

 

Fix My Heart Devotional for Women

Released March, 2021. 

There are two things that one can indulge in during March—eating candy and drinking green beer!

Since Easter comes in April, there will be no chocolate eggs for me in March. It’s a good thing salty snacks give me the same eating pleasure and—I don’t drink beer no matter what day or color.

A few weeks back, my husband and I felt the need to get away for the afternoon. We were driving in the Appalachian mountain area. We accidentally got on a narrow, winding fire trail. That’s something you only want to experience once in your life. At least there were no bears in which we had to share the path. I think the Appalachian Black bears, with one eye closed, got a better deal than humanity did this winter. At least the bears went into their dens fat, dumb and happy late last fall. I don’t know about you, but I stayed hunkered down in the house out of COVID’s way, eating chips and waiting for my cell to ring. I found “Spam” and “No Name” call me more than anyone else did. Occasionally, I received a call from “Potential Spam.” None of them have much to say. My husband thinks I should forward the calls to each other. At least they would have somebody to talk to.

After scouring the Bible, Romans 8:28 seems to fit what my soul needs. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” So I guess when I don’t see a situation as I should (sorry Lord), maybe I should chalk it up to one of life’s little detours and praise Him because it’s not the final destination.

I tell myself, “You need to work on a better attitude. Faith can’t be bought or manufactured like my favorite Lindt truffles or swallowed like aspirin for a headache. It is the Word of God that produces faith and joy comes from the soul resting in God.” Sometimes my heart doesn’t quite get the message. I am working on it.

I wonder, when attitude creeps into my heart, does God’s joy leak out of it? I suppose it does. There are times I feel like I’m moving on perpetual traffic round-de-rounds, and most of the time, I’m still in the house! I hope I am not alone in wearing my mask and going around in circles. I think it’s time to get off the circle and refresh my attitude. Reading what Jesus says about having a correct attitude, growing faith, and what brings real joy is a good place to start.

But, before I embrace this new attitude, as far as “Spam” and “No Name” are concerned, I’m going to block them.  

Verse of the Month:

Psalm 4:7 ESV

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

 

Sitting transfixed in front of the black and white, I watched four mop-heads singing “All My Loving.”

 It’s probably safe to say there might be a few boomers that don’t remember the sixties, but most do. The Beatles’ appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show, broadcast live from Studio 50 in NYC, is etched in my mind as clear as the Kennedy assassination a few years before. By the way, I was in study hall wearing my boots were made for walk-in’ when the news of the President’s death sounded over the intercom.

I thought the Brits had something to be proud of as I sat cross-legged in front of the T.V. watching the Fab Four in ‘64. The Beatles’ over-the-top music arrangements and simple lyrics rang out in our living room, across continents, and changed the world; or at least, the music industry.

In America, “Beatle mania” impinged on restless youth trapped by the uncertainties of the Vietnam Conflict. As far as I was concerned, the movie “Good Morning, Vietnam,” starring Robin Williams, was the only good thing that came out of a disturbing era.

The simple lyrics of “All You Need Is Love” became life-model aspirations of many 20th-century youths. Some thought the mop-top musicians, who claimed in ‘67, “What we need is love, love, all we really need is love...” were ahead of their time. They weren’t. They were just in time to claim their part in changing a confused culture.

Jesus didn’t start his ministry carrying sheet music and a guitar, although people sang and cried for joy at his words. He didn’t have a T.V. broadcast, podcast, or blog to promote His message of love—no cell phones either. He had His Father in Heaven, twelve great friends, and the backing of Angels. His message was also simple. Through faith, God offers His love to humanity through salvation and the gift of eternal life.

Jesus put deliverance from sin on the map; albeit the earth. He not only preached the Good News—believe in Him and love others—through His words, but also powerfully showed the Good News through His actions. How did He get it so right—through love, that’s how. Jesus’ self-sacrificing love communicated deep feelings for us. Through His sacrifice, we have been given a fantastic knowledge of God’s enduring presence in our lives—now that is true love. His simple message was clear and straightforward. It is everlasting and is still heard across continents.

For some, “What we need is love, love, all we really need is love...” is still as à propos as it was over two thousand years ago. His love is easy to find. Simply open His Word in faith and seek Him. Pray to Him. He will meet where you are at and fill your heart and life with His love. Who could want anything more this Valentine’s Day than to be given the gift of love that lives forever in your heart?

Verse(s) of Month: —Ephesians 5:1-2

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.”

Are there as many New Year resolutions floating around the universe as there is space trash?

 

As Father Time marched toward the mystical abyss, I failed to shout out into the cosmos a New Year’s resolution. Did the old man bid a fond a-do to 2020 or wipe the sweat from his brow because the year was over? Either way, I’m not burying a time capsule in his remembrance. He left us with a diapered toddler waddling around wearing a top hat with a 2021 banner strapped across his chest. I sure hope the tot’s first stop will be in Washington to hand out pacifiers.

Although going into this year resolution-less, I intend to make the most of it. Gone are the days absorbed in paper product shortages. No longer do I care about fiber-density if it gets the job done? I will blur from my mind the concept of wrapping the world in “strong and ever so soft” four-ply. I wonder, is it even possible to absorb the mess 2020 left behind? God’s unfailing grace will cover me with His strength and wisdom when I reach for an extra roll of paper product at the grocery. 

No matter what 2021 may bring, it is important to stand steadfast as witnesses to the truth of God’s promises and power. We can join others in performing acts of kindness and generosity. We can show others that God is the way, the truth, and the life by the way we live. With the time we have, we can search out opportunities to share God’s mighty plan that delivers humanity from the power of sin. In a nutshell, what Satan intends for evil, our Father in Heaven, has purposed for good. Nothing can diminish God’s truth, steal our joy from glorifying Him, or take away the hope and trust we have in the Almighty.

So, let the fictitious Old Man Time go where he will. Let the New Year Baby tip his top hat to renewal. We have a never-ending, living God, faithful in all circumstances, no matter the time of day or the calendar year. Let’s count every tick of the clock a blessing as we walk hand in hand into the New Year with God’s Son, Jesus.

Happy New Year.

Verse(s) of Month: Ephesians 1:7-10 NIV

“In Him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.”

 

While we were unwrapping Christmas ornaments; Dad was in the garage searching for rope.

One Christmas Season, long, long ago, our family stopped at a downtown Christmas tree lot to purchase a tree for the approaching Holiday. There were bright fairy lights strung around the periphery, enticing passersby to pause and browse. Today, I suppose we call them pop-ups. Whether name or time in history, both follow the same premise; to make the season merry and bright. Being a child, I knew stopping at a Christmas tree lot was the first step in bringing Christmas magic and family traditions to life. Getting the tree was the start of fulfilling Christmas dreams.

I remember how it took Dad forever to parallel-park in front of the lot that year. Impatient, four children wiped the breathy fog from the backseat windowpanes. Soon our noses were flat against the old Lincoln windows so we could see all the shapes and sizes of the trees. Our eyes skimmed the conifers. Of course, we over-talked each other’s suggestions of which tree would be the perfect one to take home. Dad told us to be quiet, or the kids would go home without a tree. (What’s not funny about picturing Mom standing on the curb as Dad drives away with misbehaving youngsters in tow? Of course, in my imagination, mom would see us waving out the rearview window with tears in our eyes.) I muffled laughter in my mittens.

Once released from the automobile, the smell of evergreens seeped up our cold, runny noses. We knew the smell of pine would soon fill our home with the essence of Christmas. I saw Dad blowing his warm breath into his cupped palms to keep frostbite away. Mom kept folding her coat tighter around her middle. I could tell the hunt for the perfect tree was going to be short-lived. Soon, we spotted a bluish-green needled Scotch pine. It looked perfect in its snow-covered costume under the bright lights. On the way home, the sound of enthusiastic kids singing Christmas Carols off-key occupied the car. And, on top of the car, lay the tree strapped snug to the roof.

Dad placed the tree in a roughcast iron tree-stand in the living room corner near the front window. Our heads tilted right as we gazed at it. Without a word, Dad grabbed his jacket and dashed to the garage. He came back, shivering from the Midwest weather, but successful in his quest to save the disparaging tree. In his hand was a long piece of heavy twine. We watched him wrap it around the tree’s crooked spine and pull it to its most upright position. Mom gave Dad a thumbs up when she thought the tree was straight as it was going to get. Dad wrapped the end of the rope around the latch on the window sash and the tree, in all its pine glory, was ready for adornment. We finished decorating the tree by tossing silver tinsel from the top green bough to its bottom branches. When the lights came on, we clapped at our handiwork. We gazed upon our glittering, imperfect tree and loved it.

When I think back on past Christmases, I find I hold the imperfect Christmases as the most meaningful. As a youth, that misshapen tree became a fond remembrance. It could never compete with the storyline of today’s Left Alone, ELF, or A Charlie Brown Christmas, but it became our story. Besides, if every Christmas were perfect, how could we appreciate the uniqueness of Christmases past?

We can praise God we have Jesus to make our imperfections perfect through a life of sanctification. He will continue working through us during this pandemic and beyond. We won’t have to worry about any bend in our core because He makes our paths straight. As His children, we can light up the world brighter than any tree lot. Adorned with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, we can live our lives by faith in the Son of God, whether we stay inside our homes or go outdoors.

Faith and hope are a means for us in ending this year strong and upright. The Lord is our strength and protector. That will never change. Happy Birthday, Jesus—and to those reading this writing, may God’s love shine bright through you and yours this Christmas Season and in the forthcoming year. 

Verse of the Month: 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV.