“As each has received a gift, use it serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace. 1 Peter 4:10”
Like two hands joined together pointed to the heavens the evergreen stands strong sharing beauty in all seasons. At Christmas we adorn the tree with beautiful ornaments to prepare and make way for our saviour to be born. Before Christmas with the children at school we enjoyed learning about evergreen trees. The pine, fir and spruce trees all have their individual traits in how pine needles grow in bunches and on fir trees they evenly spread their needles on the branch and how the female pinecones sit near the top of the tree and the male pinecones on the bottom branches. The many layers of the pinecone hold the seeds that are then scattered and sown. We seen how evergreen farms prepare the trees to sell at Christmas. In review when we asked our students what they learned about evergreen trees, the most common answer was, “They’re green all the time. They’re always beautiful.” they’d say with a huge smile. Evergreens seemed to have sparked a joy in all of us.
Evergreens are quite fascinating in how they’re a constant source of nurture to the nature around them. As the other leaves on the oak and maple and other trees turn colour, dwindle and fall, become dormant and begin to slow down it’s metabolism to conserve energy to protect itself during the harsh winter, the evergreen journeys on with strength. The evergreen continues to emit its emerald green beauty to adorn nature and homes at Christmas. In all seasons it becomes a safe haven for birds and animals. This is God’s perfect creation in all things. Everything is in perfect harmony with nature and human. It exists all around us.
It leads me to wonder if I live like a maple tree or an evergreen tree. I ask myself if I hibernate or tuck away what God wants me to offer in order to protect myself or like the evergreen be a constant source of hope and beauty to those around me. A pinecone can be compared to the layers of a heart that await to be perfected. It’s tiny seeds that await to scatter and sow so that other trees may grow can give way to thoughts of the hundreds of seeds of love which we can sow. The branches and prickly pine needles that provide a nesting and safe haven for animals can represent the times in which we bring security to another in need, to share a heart of Christmas all year round.
We are called to be genuine and caring people in thought, action and word, yet a part of me yearns for deeper love to grow within me to fulfill His will. There’s so much that God still wants to perfect in each of us if we attach ourselves to his ways. As authentic as we may think we are there’s always room for more, and so much more of me that still lies dormant but awaits to be awakened with confidence knowing it’s fulfilling God’s will for me, for us. We can push away negative thoughts that hold us back yet instead live in moments of thankfulness and abundance. We can think on the prickly pine needles within us and how we will shed what does not serve and soften the needles in our heart in hopes to enrich our lives and those around us.
Within us a life cycle of love grows when we realize a place with God filled with gratitude for his creation in us and the world around us. Just imagine the harmony of a world in which people bring forth and share their gifts and talents to the fullest for the greater good. At the very least one where people come to know their real purpose and live in true peace and freedom. I am blessed with great joy in serving my faith and family and with it has come tremendous peace that has allowed other branches of love to grow.
My daughters and I often share these talks of our gifts apart from our field of work. My daughters, registered nurses they share their amazing gifts to help save the life of another. Although, they put their heart in every patient in their care they maintain this perfect balance of empathy and compassion but understanding that God is in control of all things. I take comfort in knowing the space in work and home are sacred. Although, I teach and try to inspire students the way God guides me to, I don’t live to teach. I live to grow in faith and share God’s love with His people in hopes they are guided back to Him. I have come realize we can trust and give freely with confidence in God but have reservations towards the fickle world. If one were to ask me the imprint I wish to leave, it has never been nor will ever be the lesson plans or materials yet about making people feel loved and cared for knowing they have my loyalty. In the moments of the day if I was able to inspire a child or a person and give them a sense of belonging in hopes to fulfill God’s plan in it, that is my hope. I owe my father and mother a debt of gratitude for showing me the importance of following the path laid out for me and not live in another’s shoes. I can lead when I am led by God’s will for me, if not I to am fickle.
In all I have done and in all I could have done better this coming year I pray and hope it will bring with it its own spiritual gems and treasures of inner renewal and change. It will offer ways for each of us a way to grow and share gifts of love, support, kindness and loyalty to make the world a happier place. It will be more about the little special moments I can offer in all the seasons. This is the gift Jesus offers each of us. This is the evergreen life and never ending love God offers each of us so that the world may enjoy Him eternally through us. As we tuck away our man made gifts may we open our heart so that our inner spiritual gifts flourish and bloom and provide a safe haven to others so that we can truly adore Him all year round.
Peace,
Claudia