Do you have a real or a fake Christmas tree?
For the first two years, my husband and I picked a real tree.
Our apartment smelled like a fragrant pine forest.
Both the aroma of the tree and the beauty of a real live tree donned in holiday decorations were amazing.
However, at what cost?
Getting the tree up a flight of narrow steps to our apartment
left countless needles scattered everywhere.
The tree needed water often,
the floor needed vacuuming daily,
and worst of all
my husband suffered from allergies immediately.
We had had it with the hassle of a real tree.
Deeming it unnecessary, the following Christmas we purchased a fake tree.
The appearance, while pretty, is not completely life-like
and the tree definitely has no pine forest scent.
Yet, year after year we choose a fake Christmas tree,
taking it from its attic storage box,
spreading and arranging its branches to make it look real,
and lighting a pine scented candle to complete the illusion.
Certainly, it is more cost efficient, cleaner, and easier to maintain,
but is it real?
No, and I am completely OK with that.
As I gaze upon the beautifully decorated fake Christmas tree,
my mind starts to wonder.
And,
I think
back to our
tree dilemma...
using a real or fake?
Our fake tree is easier
and 'good enough' for us.
The real tree was beautiful
and aromic, but too much work.
It cost us too much.
Do I approach my life in a similar fashion?
Do I think an authentic walk with my Lord is costing
me too much?
Is it too much of a hassle for me to spend time reading my Bible and praying? Do I trade in my authentic life and relationship with Christ for a fake, less costly life style? Do I try to put on an outward appearance of a Christian, dressing myself with good deeds and proper speech? Could I be guilty of Matthew 6:1?
"Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them.
If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven." (NIV emphasis mine)
May it never be so,
and may it never be for you as well.
Praying that we all seek an authentic relationship with the Lord
that fills our dwelling places
with His heavenly aroma this holiday season.
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This post has been linked to Word Filled Wednesday at Internet Cafe Devotions.
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This post has been linked to Word Filled Wednesday at Internet Cafe Devotions.
Incredible post, Dorie. What a perfect illustration of how we can live our lives in such a way that looks good...but is not good or real.
ReplyDeleteDorie - this is a wonderful post and you point out something we should all take time to consider.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you and your family.
Blessings,
Joan
Very interesting way to approach this...thanks for sharing! Have a wonderfully blessed WFW!
ReplyDeletegreat reflection......and may I not be as decoration oriented only as my tree.
ReplyDeleteMay I not be as fake as my decor oriented tree.....and I wrote that, and got up and walked into another room and passed my new tree this year and realized why I love it. It is tall, antique white, purchased on sale at a Christmas site in Jan this year and it has red baubles only...some have a hint of gold on them......it reminds me that on a tree, He died for me and shed the crimson blood that I might be even whiter than this tree.
ReplyDeleteThere is a picture of it in my blog...somewhere,.lol.
What a great message! And how true . . . I have been guilty of living cheaply toward my Lord or doing things only for others to see. I want to spread the fragrance of Christ with authentic living!
ReplyDeleteBlessings on you and yours this Christmas season and always!
Wow wow wow, that's about all I can say on this post. :)
ReplyDeleteAmen, that was powerful!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat word.
Blessings to you this Christmas!