The wild tree in my living room reminds me that life is full of adventure as we seek God and the dreams He’s given us.
A few years ago, we decided to cut down a tree from my mother-in-law’s farm to use as our Christmas tree. We brought along some friends who did the same. Mimicking the children’s classic “We’re going on a bear hunt …,” our kids chanted, “We’re going on a tree hunt …”
If four years in a row can make a tradition, we made one – one that we never anticipated but continues to go down as a favorite holiday adventure.
This is the fourth year our living room is decked out with a tree from our hunt. I love the smell and the unconformed look of its branches wildly reaching out. God created this tree uniquely – just like he does each one of us and our dreams.
I prefer white lights and ornaments from places we’ve been and those that document my kids’ growth. I even like their handmade ones. Our tree is perfectly imperfect and radiates beauty. Maybe your Christmas tree is artificial with shining colored lights. It doesn’t matter – it’s yours.
And it’s okay if you don’t decorate for Christmas the same way every year. We’ve had artificial trees in the past, and in some ways that’s easier. But we like the adventure that comes with my husband Greg using a chain saw, hauling the wild tree home, and making it fit in a portion of our living room. The kids like to help decorate, stretching their little arms as high as they’ll reach.
I really love when the house is quiet and dark, but there in the corner of the living room is the glowing beauty from our tree. Sometimes I need the quiet and dark to see the glory.
I think about when God told us to adopt. We had no idea what we were getting into – talk about adventure.
I remember when I realized I was supposed to tell our infertility and adoption story because it’s my faith journey that taught me I belong to God. Yes, the earthly adoptions made us a family, but we’re also co-heirs with Christ. The parallels are exciting and the most tangible example of faith I’ve experienced.
I spend time with my community of people. It’s loud and chaotic, but God is there and I can’t imagine my life without them. That’s real life adventure right there.
{Join me at the God-sized Dreams website, where you can read the rest of this post.}
I’m also linking up this post at Holley Gerth’s Coffee For Your Heart, Jennifer Dukes Lee’s #TellHisStory, and the Soli Deo Gloria Gathering that Jen Ferguson hosts.
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I LOVE your tradition! We did the live tree deal last year and, well, its not a tradition we can keep with our wild boys! However, like you, I LOVE when the kids (finally) are sleeping and I turn off the lights and enjoy the soft glow of our little Christmas tree. His glory SHINES!
PS – I'm REALLY hoping No Cookie-Cutters Allowed will count as three words….please?! 🙂 I couldn't think of a shorter title!
Of course it'll count as three words. Flexibility and creativity are welcomed here. 🙂 Glad you're here.
First of all.. I love that TREE! I love the tradition you are building, the memories that secure themselves into the fabric of who we are create a patchwork quilt that wears strong in the storms of life. And I love this, ' it’s my faith journey that taught me I belong to God.' This belonging happens when we are buffering under the quilt of His love as the storms we endure bring us to Him over and over and we let him sew another piece of glory on our frame. The tradition of going to the Throne of Grace covers us like a blanket and we eventually become a part of it, and we know there is no better place to be. Your words there just ignited a fire in my heart.. thanks so much.
🙂 Blessings!
Dawn
I absolutely love the quilt analogy … so beautiful and true! In full disclosure – that's our tree from last year because I had to have the God-sized Dream post written awhile ago. 🙂 But our tree this year is equally imperfectly perfect. Thanks for your sweet comment, Dawn!
I, too, LOVE your Charlie Brown Christmas tree, the adventure and the "Bear Hunt" ( a favorite book, by the way!) traditions. Looking at it through the eyes of God radiates the beauty of your heart, dear Kristin.
Caring through Christ, ~ linda
"Under the quilt of His love" is so beautiful…I have such a fine picture in my mind and heart and will hold that today.
Thank you, Linda! I'm glad you're here!
We went on our first tree hunt this year and it was a special time. I like the reminder that a wild tree symbolizes the wild adventure of faith.
Sometimes I need the quiet and dark to see God's glory. Oh yeah. I love my private time in the early morning hours when it's still dark out and the house sleeps. And then there have also been those times when my life got very dark and God and His love for me shone very bright! Merry Christmas, Kristin. I didn't know you had a link-up. Will try to connect sometime in future.
Hi, Sheila! I just started the link up in November. It moved from Simply Beth. It's been fun and I'd love for you to join us some Wednesday. Oh, yes, I know about those dark times in life and God's bright light – I'm so thankful for that. Thanks for being here. Merry Christmas to you!
So fun, Ginger! Thanks for being here!