This morning, sitting in front of a beautifully decorated Christmas tree, my attention turned to the daily Bible study from a hunting devotional book I read to my Sweet Al every morning.
An avid hunter, the author wrote that the trees in the southeast are tall, telephone-pole kind of trees. He describes climbing one with his portable aluminum stand to watch for the deer.
The lesson talked about the difference between a young tree not being able to hold a hunter and an old oak tree with roots that grab deep into the soil with branches strong enough to hold any hunter.
I said to Al, “We’ve been walking with the Lord 55 years. We’ve been in church, under Bible teaching, associated with other Christians, and we should be like oak trees. We need to act differently than the younger Christians who are just learning God’s ways. More is expected from us.”
I felt a little smug when I told him, “God has done a mighty work in us. It’s easier for us to forgive, let go and move on than when we were young and wild. We can offer young believers more support, wisdom and patience.”
I continued to be puffed up in my spiritual growth. “We are like oak trees in our Christian walk. It’s taken a lifetime, 80 plus years to produce these two oak trees with solid branches.”
Then in the course of the day, I engaged in a conversation I thought was going to be a clear-the-air, what-do-you-think talk. No harm, no foul. A good meeting of the minds where we could have a deep conversation. Our minds didn’t meet.
I didn’t know the grief I had caused this person. Wow, I was perceived differently than I thought of myself. There was no way to argue the point, but to listen. It wasn’t my intention, but I caused this person grief — much grief. I couldn’t say, “That’s your problem.” I realized the better thing to do was listen and not argue my side. I wanted to make it right between him and me, and between God and me.
In our younger days, Al and I were immature Christians. We didn’t always make the right decisions and had to ask for forgiveness often. I’ve always said that the Lord kept me on a short tether. I was glad for that so I didn’t get too far away from Him.
Over the years I have made amends for many thoughtless things I have done or said. And in these last days, the Lord brought me back from a terrible car accident to make right what was left undone. I don’t want any regrets when I see my Lord face-to-face.
At the end of the day that started so sweetly, quiet covered the evening hours. My heart hurt and was so heavy for the conversation that jarred me to my toenails. I said to Al, “This old oak tree wept today.”
“How so? What do you mean?”
“I realized today this person has held years of animosity against me. I wasn’t grieved at how he perceived me as much as the hurt he has carried all these years because of me. I felt pain for him, not so much for myself.
“I feel like I am weeping for the deep damage I’ve done to this person. Hopefully, the Lord will allow me to stay on earth for a few more years. I don’t want to leave this way. I need to pray, pray, pray.”
I carried the hurt of the conversation for the rest of the night until I talked with Jesus. The pain was released and I knew Jesus’ death on the tree took care of the offense. And all the thoughtless things I’ve done, Jesus will heal and make right.
Final brushstroke: As I look at the Christmas tree and marvel at this season of beautiful lights and gifts under the tree, it was brought to mind the true gift, Jesus’ gift, the real reason why Jesus was born. He came to die. What a morbid thought, but yet very true.
From Jesus’ death he is living in our hearts and can make things right, lift our burdens, take away the pain and all the thoughtless words we have put upon others. Truly this is a merry Christmas when we understand why Jesus was born.
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