Monday, December 10, 2012

Refreshing Love

“For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you” (Philemon 1:7 NKJ)

Bobbie and I can never agree on exactly what we need for Christmas decorations or even how to decorate. I am elaborate and flamboyant while she is modest and thrifty. She’s the detail person and I am the “let’s get it done and over with” guy. Bobbie likes sparkles and figurines, while I like lots of balls, popcorn garlands and lights.

But we both love natural trees, so when she suggested a “live” tree for this year, I jumped at the opportunity to make new memories. Expensive? Well, maybe a little, but then it’s Christmas. We just didn’t count on the time it would take to find the ideal tree and then get it home.

Me: “Just go to Lowes or whomever sells live trees, pick one out, buy it and bring it home.” End of story!

Bobbie: “Now you know that we have to shop for it. We can’t take the first one we see. Shopping is half the fun.” Yeah, right!

But to avoid the wrong kind of holiday memory, I relented and went along with Bobbie, our daughter and our grandson. A-tree-hunting we did go. We were hunting a tree, not shopping for one. The difference between hunting and shopping is that shopping involves purchasing something. We were hunting.

At the farmer’s market, which had a good selection of acceptable Christmas trees, we each purchased an apple to eat during our hunting trip. Both Bobbie and I got Yellow Delicious ones and our grandson got a great big red one. Oh, the apples were delicious, but we didn’t purchase a tree.

We saw a lot of countryside. We did a lot of riding around the county. We enjoyed the laughter of love. We also enjoyed the peace and quiet of the silence that followed. But we returned home in the afternoon . . . without a tree. Yep, in a few days, we’ll try again.

Dear Father, thank you for my loved ones. Thank you for your love shown to us in your son, born in a manger so long ago. Grant that we may love one another and give ourselves to each other. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN

Be strong and courageous today refreshing others with your love,

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