It was our fourth Christmas together, and it was time for
our annual hunt for a tree. While my family had used an artificial tree for
many years, Tina was convinced that only a “real” tree was acceptable. Just a
month before our annual hunt I had left my job as an associate pastor to accept
my first lead pastor, actually solo pastor, position. My new church had come
through a difficult couple of years, although they were paying me all they
could, it was southern California and everything was more expensive than it
should have been. That was particularly true for the cut Christmas trees that
were imported from far away. We shopped and shopped, but even my wife, the
Christmas nut, was not prepared to break the bank for a tree that would be in
our apartment for less than a month. So, reluctantly, she went with me to
K-Mart to look at artificial trees. Tina had to admit that they looked better
than she thought they would and we picked one out. Of course, the one we wanted
was about the most expensive one they had. We looked at it, and looked at it.
We rationalized that if we spent the money on it, it would be several years
before we would need to buy another one.
But still… it was just more than we could spend. It was a big deal to Tina
and she was almost in tears. That made it a big deal for me too. Just then we
heard a small voice say, “Do you kids like that tree?” The voice belonged to a
little old lady who was standing near us. Tina said, “Yes, it is very
beautiful, but it is kind of expensive.” The woman said, “I have one just like
it at home that my husband and I bought last Christmas. We love it.” After a
brief pause she went on, “Or I should say, I love it. My husband passed away
last summer.” We made the normal clumsy attempts to say something comforting.
She thanked us for that, and then said. “I am going to my daughters for the
Holidays so I am not putting up a tree this year, and I have plans move into an
apartment some time next year, so I don’t need a big tree anymore.” She started
to tell us about her family, and even though the last thing we wanted was to be
rude to this sad little lady, we really wanted to get on with our shopping. We began looking for a way out of the
conversation with this stranger when she said, “I came here today to see if I
could find someone who might like my tree. Would you kids like to have my
tree?” Tina said, “That would be nice, how much do you want for it.” She
replied, “If you are willing to come by my house and get it, you can have it.”
In amazement we made arrangements to stop by her house the
next day. It was a nice home where she had raised a family and made a life with
her husband. We could tell she loved the place, but it was lonely for her to
live there by herself. She invited us in and gave us cookies and coffee. We
spent several minutes talking with her, which she seemed to enjoy very much,
and so did Tina and I. That sweet lady was at the other end of life from Tina
and I. We were not yet parents. Her children had grown, moved away and had
children of her own. Tina and I were only a little more than newlyweds. She had
outlived her husband. We were dreaming of glorious Christmases ahead. She was
remembering wonderful ones of the past.
We took her tree home and used it for many years after that.
Because of our memory of her generosity and her story, we hated to retire it.
For several years we exchanged Christmas cards with her. Then one year none
came from her and we were pretty sure that she was celebrating once again with
her husband, this time in Heaven. It was a loving thing she had done for us
that Christmas. The love she shared with us grew out of her love for her
husband. She just wanted us to enjoy our Christmases together just as much as
she had enjoyed her cherished Christmas memories.
She showed us something else. An act of kindness does not
have to be huge to be greatly appreciated. The nice lady went out of her way to
find a good home for her tree. I guess that is the key, sometimes the greatness
of a gift, is in its timing, the story that goes with it, and the love that
accompanies the gesture. We get so busy at Christmastime we sometimes miss the
opportunities God sets before us to share love with friends or strangers. This
season is going to be exceptionally busy for me, but I’m going to try to keep
my eyes open for ways to be a blessing to someone. Why don’t we all ask God for
the chance to share His love in a special, even unusual, way this year? Perhaps
we can be used by God to lighten someone’s load and brighten his/her outlook of
life.
