Eternal Tree

I had my Christmas tree up but I hadn't decorated it yet. I have got it pulled apart and I disconnected the old lights that were connected to the branches and the tree. I always assumed the cord never worked, and I almost cut it off once. But I'm so grateful I didn't. I was working on the bottom part of my tree by removing the lights and straightening the branches. I got the idea to try plugging my Christmas lights into the tree and the tree cord into the wall, and it worked! I had a tree that I could put my own lights on one time and leave them attached even as I put the tree away for next year. I was going to buy a new one, but I had a priceless opportunity to put my creative talent to use. I have set up the bottom part of the tree and hopefully I can get the rest of the tree set up soon. I found this tree 2 years ago sitting in front of a house in our old neighborhood ready to be thrown away, and decided we could use it until we could get a new tree. Now my eyes have been opened to the treasure I really had for the last 2 years.

Sometimes there are people in our lives, situations or circumstances we're in, that we see as I used to see this tree. We think it's okay for now, but I'll get a new one later. We miss out on the treasures we truly have in our lives. Sometimes we don't ever really know what we've missed out on, and other times it's only too clear what we've lost after it's gone. I have the habit that if I don't see someone or sometimes purpose soon, I feel it is a waste and try to remove it, or think "I'll be happy when..." and I've missed out on some very treasured moments and people in my life. I even see myself a lot like I did this tree, not worth much, ugly, used, not good enough. And I don't look at myself as the treasure Heavenly Father knows I am. 

I'm not going to buy another Christmas tree, as I have something worth more than money can buy: my eternal tree, AKA my eternal perspective on the many treasured people and circumstances of my life.

I had a blessing this morning and the Lord told me I have to love myself before I can love others in my life. I have been hard on myself for not getting up at 7am, for not being this bubbly, kind, perfect person I feel I should be, when that isn't realistic for me after everything I've been through, everything I live with. My focus was distorted, and I'm learning to be okay with being a little kinder, happier, positive, loving, a little more Christlike than I was yesterday. Because I know I'm smooth, because I am His. In the sacred name of Jesus Christ, Amen

~Jessi