wrapped up

You may remember my “Grinch” Christmas tree. My older son’s father-in-law makes them. A year ago when I first learned about them, I asked if he would make one for me.

“Of course” was his reply. A few weeks ago I detoured on a drive home from middle Georgia to pick up the tree. It was just what I had hoped for. It gave me such a smile as I drove home with it seated beside me.

The next day I took this photo.

Yesterday I placed it it with the packages that have been arriving just about daily. The tree soars above the wrappings of the season. I’ve chosen to leave it unadorned, with the exception of the bow it was sporting when I picked it up. In my opinion it is adorned through its design and color. And that is enough.

I think too often we think we need to add adornment to our belongings, our surrounding, and even to ourselves. Will a bauble here, an ornament there, or a particular garment provide a marked improvement? Is simple, or “as is”, enough?

What about belongings? Do we need more, or is what we have sufficient? Now in my 78th year of life, I need – and want – so much less. Gazing just now at what I see as I look up from writing, I see treasures amassed over my many years. What I see is enough, more than enough.

Sara Groves sings,

“Really we don’t need much
Just strength to believe
There’s honey in the rock,
There’s more than we see
In these patches of joy
These stretches of sorrow
There’s enough for today
There will be enough tomorrow.”

Indeed. There is, and will be, enough.

As for the stack of gifts under the Grinch tree, most are for the family who is just miles away from my front door. There will be enough for all.

I do have more shopping to do – for those who really do not have enough. Heifer International notified me this morning that any shopping I do today will be matched such that my one gift will be three gifts. I’m now off to shop, to help make “enough” a closer reality for others.

Advent IV Blessings.