LET’S BE HONEST
Let’s be honest; somethings about the holidays we don’t really look forward to. In fact, I’ll bet, really just guess, I’m not much of a gambler, there are somethings about the holidays you and I downright dread.
Today, (which happens to be Sunday… so much for a day of rest), is the day the Christmas tree has to come down. I’ve been wrestling, punching, lassoing, and kneeing that obstinate fake tree back into its disintegrating boxes for fifteen years.
There will be cuts and scrapes I’ll have to nurse for the next couple weeks after we go another round this year. If I was a little more gentle with the ole tree its lights would probably still be working. And there would be less holes and little pieces of it to toss each year.
The tree is just the beginning. The lights out front are a couple stories off the ground and aren’t exactly a walk in the park either. Getting them down and putting them away is easy to dread too.

I had a thought early this morning; instead of another year of dread, I should be thanking my lucky stars that I have another year to fight that tree. The reality is that it has nothing to do with stars. God made the stars and is the One responsible for giving us another year.
We got word this morning that a charity we support called FAM, Fighting All Monsters, a children’s cancer charity, lost a young man that’s been fighting cancer for fifteen years. Levi was nineteen years old.
And I dread taking down a tree?
Last night I went and plugged the heat lamps in to keep the oranges from freezing on the trees. “I’m glad I’m not homeless tonight,” I said as I walked back inside.
It’s easy to take God’s love, grace, and mercy for granted. Most of us do. I’m no exception.
I’m thankful for another year. I’m thankful for the physical ability to still be able to manhandle that tree, the agility to still climb ladders. I’m thankful that my family is healthy and has first world issues, not third world ones.
I’m thankful for the gift of free will that allows me the mental capacity to choose how I react in situations… like taking down the decorations from celebrating the birth of Christ.
I’m thankful for God’s protection and provision of another year. I pray His mercy and grace would overwhelm the families that have lost and are going to lose their children this year. May they find peace in their darkest hours. May we do what we can to be the heart and hands of God.
If you have an interest in supporting FAM it would be appreciated by a lot of suffering folks. Click here to get to FAM. More importantly, your prayers for the children and families are appreciated.
Let’s be honest; we have been blessed. And “to whom much is given much is required.” May God bless you and yours with a healthy and wise 2020 and beyond.
Sunday, December 29, 2019 @ 3:27 pm
Being able to climb up and down a ladder at our age is a blessing! Unfortunately I can no longer do it…I mean I can, but it just hurts my joints so much! I really enjoyed putting up the lights on the exterior of our single floor house myself, but it’s out of my pocket impossible now.
I don’t like cancer… and I know I am not the only one. I’ve fought with my mom’s cancer and even though it was only for two years, it’s a battle that I don’t care to repeat. But God is with each of us in our own battles, and that’s a blessing for sure!
Sunday, December 29, 2019 @ 4:07 pm
Great perspective Floyd! We all need a few minutes of reflection to realize we have a lifetime of blessings to give God thanks for!
Sunday, December 29, 2019 @ 7:46 pm
I agree, great perspective. Some things should not be taken for granted.
Monday, December 30, 2019 @ 12:09 pm
Your timing in this was perfect. Needed to read this!
Monday, December 30, 2019 @ 7:04 pm
“It’s easy to take God’s love, grace, and mercy for granted. Most of us do. I’m no exception.” I’m no exception either. I have been greatly blessed. When I complain about my first-world problems, it sometimes brings me back to reality that I truly have so little to complain about compared to many around the world. May God have more mercy on us when we forget how much mercy he’s already given.
Happy New Year to you, Floyd!
Monday, December 30, 2019 @ 9:34 pm
That tree of yours is a lesson for all of us. Thanks for sharing about it. I either find myself feeling bad cause I have not done enough for others or wishing I had more for myself. Either way I feel bad until I realize that I must turn both off and be thankful. I have been listening to this author of the book, 12 Rules to Live By, Jordan Peterson. Not sure if he is a Christian or not but he certainly uses the bible a lot and is probably the most practical person I have listened to in a long time. I have not got his book yet but it’s on my list. We listen to him on youtube…he is smart as all get out and practical and intellectual way above me, yet is able to bring these practical truths in such a way with a story that I get him. I understand why he wrote the book, why we grapple with so much in this modern world we live in. I grapple with some of the same things. Gratefulness is one thing I grapple with, it show up when I have my eyes on me and not Him, when Betty is or wants to be in control. I love the day after Christmas, not that I love taking down the tree or putting away everything. But I do love that feeling when everything is back in it’s place and my world is orderly again. Christmas in America is not too orderly, it crazy time of the year which is why I like Thanksgiving better. I have a feeling God cannot wait to put His world back in order. Happy New Year brother.
Wednesday, January 1, 2020 @ 6:27 am
Great way to end 2019 Floyd. Perspective. It’s all about perspective. Thanks also for telling us about FAM. Sounds like a great organization. I’m going to look into it further. Thanks for your wise posts this year-some funny, some sad, but always thought-provoking. I pray you will survive the tree fighting and light-wrangling to live and work another day. 🙂 Have a blessed 2020 my friend.
Saturday, January 4, 2020 @ 6:55 am
With your permission Floyd re-posted these excellent thoughts. Knowing where you live I thought that the polar bear picture would be refreshing…Doug