The Tree

Putting up the Christmas tree was hard work. It was also a walk down memory lane. This year it was a bit sad--thinking of those who had shared it's joy so many years that were no longer with her. Putting away the sad thoughts, she decorated the tree with care--placing lights, garland, ornaments, and tinsel each to their best advantage.

When finished, the tree was a work of art--balance, perfect, a mixture of joy and sorrow, yet festive and alive with hope for welcoming the memory of the birth a special child. She was content with her work and put all the boxes that had held it's many pieces away until needed to hold their precious memories again.

She was glad that she had her animal companions to share the joy and beauty with her. Of course she gave them strict instructions to leave the tree alone. It was not a new play toy. They listened attentively. She was sure they would be well behaved.

Going to the bedroom, she began preparing to go out for the day. Humming to herself, she changed her clothes, fixed her hair, and was putting on her jewelry when she heard an odd sound. Stopping to listen, she heard the sound of . . . a glass being tapped . . . or maybe a rustle of a bell . . . or oh on, the Christmas ornaments.

Rushing back into the other room she saw her cat gently reaching with one paw--tapping an ornament on a low limb. The cat, engrossed in her task was oblivious to the approach of the human. The exploratory moves grew bolder . . . she tapped harder as she watched it swing and sway on the limb. Reached out to grab it . . .

"Mercy, stop that" shouted the human--expecting the cat to flee from the tree. Instead of bolting from the scene of the crime the startled cat leapt straight in the air, climbing the limbs of the tree to the highest branches. The tree tilted and swayed as she flew up it trying to hide . . . and escape.

Burrowing in to the limbs, she peeked out to see if her human was in pursuit. Poking her head out she hit a sparkling ball, tinsel wove into her whiskers, and her paw was tangled in wires with flashing lights. Her canine companion was running circles around the tree, barking out chastisement as she went. The human approached them.

Mercy was terrified. The more she struggled to get free the more things entangled her. The entire tree was shaking . . . things were moving, falling to the floor. The blinking lights were warm and getting hot. Silvery strings tightened their grip on her paws. She struggled to free herself. She was trapped.

Poking her head out farther, she growled her displeasure, and slapped at the things binding her. It felt as if the world was shaking, erupting, and the sanctuary to which she had run tilted and began to fall.

Her human reached out to grab her as the tree plunged to the ground. Pulling her to safety, wires still entangled her, but her human held her tightly and unwound them from her being. Held in the safety of her human's arms she was free of the evil tree at last . . . safe and whole, though still terribly afraid. The canine companion stopped her yapping long enough to sniff her from head to tail . . . and once her health and well-being was established barked her a tongue lashing.

As she calmed, the human stroked her fur and whispered words of love . . . some of them sounded a bit like scolding, but she knew that they were words of love. As her racing heart slowed, she jumped down from the protecting arms of her human, touched heads with the canine, and slowly examined the room.

The tree was on its side on the floor. Lights still twinkled, but were not all in place. Garland was knotted and tinsel sparkled everywhere . . . from the tree . . . the floor . . . as well as the nearby furniture. Balls of all colors hung from the limbs and rolled on the floor--ornaments were everywhere.

As she leisurely meandered from the room, she looked back over her swaying tail to see the human scowling at her. Leaving the room . . . and the carnage behind her, she moved to a soothing sunbeam to warm herself as she reflected upon the silliness of humans.

The ways of God are not always clear to us. Sometimes we question the action of God. Sometimes we don't understand the meaning . . . the purpose . . . the desire of God's heart. Sometimes, we find ourselves in a tangled mess with the world tilting and security falling out from under us. Those are the times when we especially need to trust in God's understanding, to submit to God's will, to wonder as we wander along life's journey, but to know absolutely that God's provision and care is always there.

God, we test our limits and boundaries and are startled when you warn us. We find ourselves in uncomfortable situations--not always of our own making. Help us to trust you and rest in your care. Help us to seek your ways. Warm us with the warmth of your love and fill us with you. So be it. Amen.