For several years, our family had a tradition in Texas of going to Mainstay Farms in Burleson with our friends, the McDaniels. Mainstay is an awesome place -- a tractor ride to a tree-cutting area, a 3-story tree house, a ???-ft. corrugated slide (gunnysack highly recommended), pedal cars, kettle corn... Our families followed up the outing with dinner at Babe's Chicken House. You don't get much more Texan than that. We are really missing our friends this year. And transitioned to an artificial tree as well! [gasp of horror]. Still, Darin, Caleb, Meghan and I enjoyed decorating our tree in our new home this year, with carols on the radio, and "winter"-scented wallflowers almost making up for that fresh pine scent. It was Caleb's turn to have the honor of placing the star on top.
Even with all my mind's wistful reminiscing that night, when the kids were in bed and I sat in the dark looking at our tree, I found myself feeling rich in all of the right ways. The Lion, Lamb, and Dove ornament that Darin and I bought at our first house, 9 years ago. Ornaments "stolen" from friends at our Edge Sunday school Christmas parties. Kid-crafted ornaments, some with precious handprints or photos. Gift-ornaments from family and friends. Alot to be thankful for on that tree.
And even though ours is now artificial, it still made me mindful of God's evergreen life, delivered to us that night long ago. And all of the little extras -- the special love-touches -- with which He goes above and beyond, adorning each season of our lives with so much love...
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