I admit upfront, this is a bait-and-switch post. But with this photo, how can you NOT be a little curious?  Here is what happened. I am talking to Chuck about our fourth Christmas in Florida.  It is the first December we have not traveled since moving here. It’s also our first year to consider options for an actual deliberate tree. The previous three Christmas trees were last-minute, exhausted attempts at normal.

Here is our dilemma. In Knoxville, we had a family tradition: Go to Mayos. Pick out a fresh-cut tree. Get a free seedling and poinsettia. Snack on hot chocolate and cookies. Come home. We began this ritual thirty-plus years ago and pulled our kids into it as well. It was our Christmas kickoff event.

And now. We are often in shorts and t-shirts so there’s no need for hot chocolate. The former fake greenery over the mantle would just look—dumb. We don’t even have a fire! It is like I am trying too hard to recreate a wintry Pottery Barn scene when I live in the land of sand and palm trees. Get the picture?

So one day I was earnestly brainstorming with Chuck.  I mean, I was reeeeally problem-solving…

How about a living fruit tree? We can plant it later.
Or a real pine tree like years before? We can try to recreate tradition, but down here.
Or no tree at all?  Just give up the tradition.
Do we dare consider an artificial tree for the first time ever? Where would we store it?
Oh I know! How about tree Made Out Of Driftwood?? Yessssss.

And Chuck’s response?

“It’s green,” he said. ” Throw some lights on it. You can hang things on it! You can re-use it! It can live here the rest of the year! Problem solved.”

“This is why we can’t have nice things,” I said, cracking up.
“I know better than to listen to you!”
Hahaha.

Here’s the switch.

My husband is ridiculous AND hilarious. But after he went inside the store, I had a little moment with the Lord about listening for wisdom. What Chuck proposed, though inane —and illegal, would actually work. It just wasn’t wise.

The “wise” word triggered a little mental trek through Scripture.
The tongue of the wise brings healing (Proverbs 12:18) and,
Whoever considers himself wise should examine himself (1 Cor. 3:18) and,
Those who walk with the wise become wiser still (Proverbs 13:20).

How do we recognize wisdom?

There is a A LOT of crazy talk and action in our world. People are doing inane, ridiculous, and yes, even illegal things. Yet they act like it’s wisdom.

How do we walk in the Truth and Wisdom of God? How do we agree on what IS God’s pathway to these things— even among believers? I would say we need to examine our freedom and our love.

God’s truth sets us free.
Free from fear, retaliation, judgment, condemnation, performance, and hatred.
Wisdom “calls out” to us from a heavenly place to lead us to “pathways of righteousness for His name’s sake.”  Heaven sees sickness, death, anger, sin, and brokenness differently. God’s goal is our freedom from living in the shadow and curse of all of that. He has “shown us, oh man, what is good.” Act justly. Love mercy. Walk humbly with our God.

Perhaps wisdom comes from simply asking: What is the truth in this situation?

God’s love changes us.
Love is the most radical motivator on the planet. The threat of AI, chemo, death, or social rejection is transformed when we allow our hearts to connect with Everlasting Love. His love changes our projections of the future. His presence refines our intentions and actions over time. What we think is best, or wise, or desirable is upgraded to His better ways. All of wisdom’s pathways are peace.

God’s goal is for His Love to be revealed to and in every human heart because His Love opens up divine wisdom. This applies to every person, race, country, religion—it triumphs over every man-made barrier.

All this musing because Chuck and I shared a BIG laugh.
I will keep you posted on the final tree decision.

In the meantime, check in with Holy Spirit. Are you being swayed by politics or pressure or popularity? Or is the freedom and love of God opening up new and heavenly places of His wisdom?

The Blessings of Wisdom

Blessed is the man who finds wisdom,
the man who acquires understanding
for she is more profitable than silver,
and her gain is better than fine gold.

She is more precious than rubies;
nothing you desire compares with her.

Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honor.

All her ways are pleasant,
and all her paths are peaceful.

She is a tree of life to those who embrace her,
and those who lay hold of her are blessed.

Proverbs 3 NIV