Some of my fondest memories as a child are from Christmas. Specifically the weekend we would bundle up, load up, and head out to the nearest Christmas tree farm to pick out our very own Christmas tree. We would walk up and down the rows to find the most perfect one and then my dad would spend a lot of time making sure it was trimmed and ready for us to decorate with ornaments. Finally, I always got to set up the Nativity scene and we would watch How the Grinch Stole Christmas. (ok, we probably didn’t do that all in one day… but those are my memories)
About the time I packed up and headed off to college, my mom invested in a fake tree. To me, this was an absolute treason to the season. Christmas was not the same without the smell of evergreen wafting through the air.
When I met Jordan, we talked about all the important things you should discuss before you get married including the fact I wanted a real Christmas tree. I mean, this was essential. 🙂 So almost 10 years after my mom bought a fake one, I finally got my real Christmas tree.
Last weekend, we bundled up and hiked out to find a Christmas tree. Albeit, our tree is far from perfect and leans quite severely to the right, but it is our tree and it smells amazing. Not to mention, I think it turned out beautiful. But truth be told, decorating the tree turned into a minor marital tiff and reminded me as hard as we try, sometimes life is messy.
Especially during this time of year when the temptation to be perfect is so high, let’s remind ourselves life is messy and we are not called to perfection, but to holiness. We are called to love those around us and be patient and kind. If the tree isn’t perfect, the elf isn’t glorious, or the cookies aren’t Pinterest worthy, it is going to be alright. I promise you, I don’t remember the tree or the ornaments, I remember the time I spent with my family. And I am learning as a wife, friend, and daughter, time is the most valuable gift you can give.
The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17
