A Christmas Prayer

On December 18, 2019December 18, 2019 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, Christmas, poems, PoetryLeave a comment

Image result for charlie brown i think there must be something wrong with me

A Christmas prayer

For the ones out there

Who aren’t full of happiness and cheer

Who are depressed and worn out this time of year

This time of year can be tough

Sometimes you just want to scream ENOUGH!

Maybe it’s the loss of a loved one

Or past hurts that have been done

Everyone else seems full of glee

You’re thinking “everyone but me”

You aren’t the only one faking a smile

Remember the season is because of the birth of a child

It’s not the decorations or presents

Or all the parties and events

Here is an open invitation

To join in the celebration

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No gifts to bring or trees to decorate

Whenever you are ready, we will wait

A genuine heart with love to give

I believe you are meant to live

Do not give up, Do not be dismayed

If you are having a string of bad days

There is a hope for a better tomorrow

One not promised without sorrow

One not promised without pain

One not promised without rain

One promised that you are never alone

One promised that you have a home

One promised that you are loved

One promised of HOPE, sealed by His blood

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I can’t promise tomorrow will be better

I can promise you have a helper

Instead of falling down it’s time to rise up

Don’t give up when you’ve had enough

The night will fall and the sun will soon shine

Please, please give it some more time

Tomorrow is new

Perhaps a blessing for you

Tomorrow will soon be here

And maybe, just maybe, it’ll be your year

A baby boy was born in a manger

Don’t let him be a stranger

Get to know hope, love, forgiveness and grace

Tomorrow you will gladly embrace

I want you to know you are known

And that you aren’t alone

Don’t give up, YOU are loved, even when you are blue

This is my Christmas prayer for you

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Talk to your doctor if you are feeling sad for long periods of time. They can refer you to a mental health specialist. If your feelings of sadness during the holidays are accompanied by suicidal thoughts, do one of the following immediately:

Call 911.
Go immediately to a hospital emergency room.
Contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).

You can improve your mood by practicing self-care during the holidays. Eat a healthy diet, and maintain a regular sleep pattern and exercise program. According to the kept Primary Care Companion to the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, as little as 30-minutes of cardiovascular exercise can provide an immediate mood boost similar to the effects of an antidepressant medication. Joining a support group where you talk to people with similar experiences to yours can also help.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE AND YOU HAVE WORTH AND YOU ARE LOVED MORE THAN YOU KNOW!

Image result for bible verses on tomorrow is a new day

Lots of songs but couldn’t decide to put suicide or hope or someone loves you song so put a mix of all them.

Why by Faith Hill –

Why by Rascal Flatts –

Different Kind Of Tears by Sully Erna –

Before The Morning by Josh Wilson –

Somebody Stand By Me by Faith Hill –

Home by Phillip Phillips-

Pray For You by Blessid Union Of Souls –

I Don’t Have The Answers by We Are Messengers-

10 Years Today by Bullet For My Valentine-

Don’t Close Your Eyes by Kix-

Hold On by Good Charlotte-

The Fuzz by Jeff Rosenstock –

Hold On by Wilson Phillips-

The Last Night by Skillet –

The Reason by Lacey Sturm-

Take The Bullets Away by We As Human-

The Right Time by Disciple –

Everybody Hurts by R.E.M.-

Goodbye (I’m Sorry) by Jamestown Story –

Just Say Jesus by 7eventh Time Down –

Pray For Me by Kirk Franklin –

Welcome To My Life by Simple Plan –

My Story by Big Daddy Weave –

Hope Was Born This Night by Sidewalk Prophets –

The Gift

On December 17, 2019December 17, 2019 By roberthansen1317In Christian lifeLeave a comment

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There didn’t seem to be much she didn’t want. It seemed like half the toy catalog was written down on her list. Barbies, doll houses, princess things, and dolls. Not to be left out were matchbox cars, board games, Playmobil things, and a football. She even asked for love. She was just a young girl.

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Her list changed over the years. Now there were clothes, gift cards, and money on the list. She also asked for iPods, iPads, and other things that start with I. One thing hadn’t changed though, she still asked for love. She was just a teenage girl.

She had most everything she ever wanted. She didn’t have much of a list this year. A new pair of Nikes, some pots and pans for her new apartment, gift cards, and money. Mostly, she just wanted her family to be together. She still was asking for love. She was just a young woman.

She had everything she had asked for. She had been married a few years and had her first child. She asked for her child to be healthy. She asked for her husband to be faithful. She asked for good friends. She asked to be successful in her career. She asked for her bills to be paid. She asked to always be loved. She was just a young mom.

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She was confused about her life. Something was missing. She had everything she wanted. She had a great career, she had great friends. She was happily married, had two healthy, happy children and a strong foundation from her parents, but she had forgotten about the one who loved her. Somewhere along the way she had forgotten about her faith. She asked for love. She asked for forgiveness. She was just a young Christian woman.

She thanked God for the life she had. She asked that her children have a relationship with Jesus. She asked that they don’t wait as long as she did to accept Jesus in her life. She asked that they realize how much they are loved. She knew the gift that Jesus had given her. He was born, He lived, and He died on the cross for her sins. She asked for love and she received the love of her Heavenly Father. She received a gift she could never pay back. A gift given to her a long time ago. She just had to be open to receiving it. She was just a woman on her journey to eternal life.

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She asked for one more day. She asked for memories she couldn’t recall. She shed a tear for a child lost too young. She asked to see her parents again. She remembered Christmas past. She asked if she had done enough. She thanked God for the gift of love He had given her. She was just a woman at the end of her days here on earth. She was just a woman, filled with joy for the life she had lived. She was just a woman that loves God. She was just a woman that accepted His gift.

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She was just a woman who asked for love.

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Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer by Burl Ives – [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMletImQ_cs&w=420&h=315]

Children Again by Jason Gray – [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iI9fnwl5FgQ&w=560&h=315]

Hold On Christmas by MercyMe – [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxvR2ptGTws&w=560&h=315]

The Gift by Collin Raye – [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJDmQI1Euk8&w=420&h=315]

The Giver and the Gift by Point Of Grace – [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcP9VQCQBK8&w=560&h=315]

Beautiful by Kutless – [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztUsXFyJuT8&w=560&h=315]

For God So Loved by Brad & Rebekah – [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jo8H9te9TNI&w=560&h=315]

Love Is Here by Laura Story – [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQu0hQb2GSE&w=560&h=315]

Your Love Is Mine by I Am They – [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_uJYKoHhQo&w=560&h=315]

Leaving Heaven by Matthew West – [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvfKG8BFBd8&w=560&h=315]

The Perfect Gift by JJ Heller – [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mDftjVZXPs&w=560&h=315]

Love Will Save The World by Brentwood Benson – [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjY03bl5QWc&w=560&h=315]

For All That You Have Done by Rend Collective – [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkK01FsfK74&w=560&h=315]

The Ornament

On December 17, 2019December 17, 2019 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, Christmas, PoetryLeave a comment

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I sit in a box all year

Waiting to share the Christmas cheer

When I was shiny and new

I was in the front, had the best view

Now that I am old and scratched

Another year of being in the back

Oh how I long to be

Out front so I can see

The family, the presents, the shows

Frosty, Rudolph and all the snow

But here I am in the back again

Ah, the front. I remember when

The first time on the tree

The first time you looked at me

I know you remember too

your smile as you hold me so is true

The light in your eyes as you recollect

The memories of days gone by we accept

I Pulled Santa’s Beard

On December 13, 2019December 13, 2019 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, Christmas, poems, PoetryLeave a comment

Image result for i pulled santa's beard

I sat on Santa’s lap

And I whispered in his ear

Everything I hoped to get

Then I slipped and I pulled his beard

It was an accident

as I fell from his knee

But he was quite mad

I said Santa I’m so sorry

I didn’t get a ho ho ho

He didn’t even say that’s quite all right

So I slowly walked away

And when I went to sleep that night

I couldn’t help but wonder

Even though I was good all year

If I would be forgotten on Christmas Eve

All because I pulled Santa’s beard

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The Reindeer Revolt- The Poem

On December 12, 2019December 12, 2019 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, Christmas, poems, PoetryLeave a comment

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‘Twas the week before Christmas

And there was trouble at the North Pole

Several of Santa’s reindeer wanted out of the business

They said working every Christmas Eve is getting old

They told Santa they wouldn’t be flying this year

Led by Donner but followed by Comet, Vixen, and Prancer

Donner tried to organize all the reindeer

But Cupid, Blitzen, Dasher, and Dancer

Those four said no, we enjoy traveling around the globe

We only work one day a year

We love seeing the children and bringing hope

Bringing wonders, gifts, and cheer

We have 364 days of rest and that is just one perk

We can train and relax and take long vacations

You are silly for protesting one night of work

There is no reason for you four to have this frustration

The arguing and bickering was causing more of a division

Both sides believed they were right

Cupid, Blitzen, Dasher, and Dancer made a difficult decision

They agreed right there and then on that fateful night

They had been friends and worked together for years

But the time had come and they could no longer be friends

Donner, Comet, Vixen, and Prancer changed too much it appears

The stress and the fighting seemed to never end

They were sad but they knew they had to go their own way

If they stayed friends Santa would think they revolted too

They liked their jobs and knew there was nothing else they could say

So they severed all ties, it wasn’t easy but it was the wisest thing to do

Santa came and saw the division that had taken place

He saw how Cupid, Blitzen, Dasher, and Dancer had to decide

To not associate with the others that would bring them disgrace

Santa knew he had to find four new reindeer for his sleigh ride

Cupid, Blitzen, Dasher, and Dancer would persevere

They were joined by Cinnamon, Gumdrop, Sparkles, and Peppermint

So listen up my friends and learn from these reindeer

If you hang with the wrong crowd it is only imminent

That you too will find yourself in a sticky situation

And in trouble you will find yourself likely

To have a sturdy house you must have a strong foundation

Listen to your heart and choose your friends wisely

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The Reindeer Revolt – The Story

On December 12, 2019December 12, 2019 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, Christmas, Merry Christmas, Short storyLeave a comment

Image result for reindeer

You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen, you know Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen, but do you know Cinnamon, Gumdrop, Sparkles, and Peppermint? Of course you don’t, because most of you have not heard of the great reindeer revolt.

It was December 17, 1938. Exactly seven days before Christmas Eve. As you would expect, the North Pole was extremely busy getting everything ready for the big night. All the elves were making the last of the toys for all the good girls and boys. Santa was checking his list, then checking it twice just to be sure no one was missed. Mrs. Claus was busy making snacks for everyone. The reindeer were finishing up the last of their training exercises.

Maybe it was because the reindeer were tired or maybe they felt they weren’t being respected enough but for whatever the reason, some of the reindeer decided they had had enough. Cinnamon, Gumdrop, Sparkles, and Peppermint had enough and decided they were no longer going to work on Christmas Eve. “We work every Christmas Eve and we are tired of it. We want to stay home and enjoy the evening with our families. All of us should join together and tell Santa no more.”

Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, and Vixen all said no. “We are not going to revolt against Santa. How can you do this? Think of all the children. We work one night a year. We have 364 days to relax and take vacations and do whatever we want. We enjoy our job and traveling all over the world and seeing all the decorations and the children eagerly awaiting our visit.”

This was not the first time that Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, and Vixen had seen a bad attitude from Cinnamon, Gumdrop, Sparkles, and Peppermint. In fact, over the last six months they had seen many warning signs. They tried talking to them, but never seemed to get anywhere. Cinnamon, Gumdrop, Sparkles, and Peppermint had even started calling Rudolph names and would not let him play in any reindeer games.

All the reindeer argued and fought for several days. We are right and this is what we are going to do. No, you are not right, we are right and we will stand our ground. Back and forth, back and forth it went.

Finally, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, and Vixen decided that this could not go on. They made a very difficult decision, one that did not come easily and one that made them very sad. These reindeer have been friends their entire lives but they no longer saw eye to eye. They told Cinnamon, Gumdrop, Sparkles, and Peppermint that they could no longer be friends. They didn’t want Santa to think they were revolting too, just because of who they were friends with.

Santa saw what was going on and felt very sad for the reindeer. But, he too, had to make a very difficult decision. If Cinnamon, Gumdrop, Sparkles, and Peppermint did not want to fly on Christmas Eve, then he was not going to force them. But he knew he needed eight reindeer to fly.

He held tryouts and four reindeer stood out amongst the rest. They were Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen. They joined forces with Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, and Vixen and became the eight famous reindeer you know today. Minus Rudolph of course, he would join the team a little later.

That is why you have never heard of Cinnamon, Gumdrop, Sparkles, and Peppermint. That is why a year later that Johnny Marks wrote Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer with its famous opening lines of which you know. You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen, you know Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen, and the rest is history.

That is also why you should be wise and choose your friends wisely. You will be known by the company you keep.

Image result for proverbs 13 20

Friends by Blake Shelton – [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2tzzDtDw-k&w=560&h=315]

I’ve Got Friends That Do by Tim McGraw- [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NW5kWTaTXYw&w=560&h=315]

Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer by – [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0byH9h1ClBY&w=560&h=315]

The Story Of A Snowflake

On December 11, 2019December 11, 2019 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, Short storyLeave a comment

I post this every year around this time. It is crazy how many views it gets throughout the year. I guess people search for snowflakes or something. Hope you enjoy.

This is a story of a snowflake. A unique and one of a kind snowflake. All snowflakes are made that way by their creator.

The snowflake in our story was filled with joy. He loved being a one of a kind snowflake. He has his own personality and demeanor. He truly enjoyed being a snowflake.

When it was his time to go and fall to the ground he was ready. He remembered everything he had been taught. He remembered how much he was loved. The most important of these was to spread the word of love. To teach others what a true, sincere, and unique kind of love looks like.

As he was falling to the ground he looked around at all of the other snowflakes. He could see they all were different than him, but they all had the same smile that he did. They were all so happy to finally being on their way to fulfill their destiny.

Then they all hit the ground and stopped. They were all piling on top of each other. Many were not happy. They started to complain. How easily they forgot the joy they had just a few minutes ago.

Some of the angry snowflakes were getting so angry that they were starting to melt. Their anger was also affecting other snowflakes around them because they started to get angry also. Even the ones that were not getting angry were being affected because they started to melt also. They were unable to get themselves out of the situation they were in. They needed help.

Meanwhile, other snowflakes saw what was going on and turned their hearts away from the snowflakes that needed help. Their hearts grew so cold that they started to turn to ice. As their icy hearts expanded, they affected other snowflakes around them. The snowflakes that were filled with joy a few minutes ago were now filled with icy hearts and turning other joy filled hearts to ice also. They needed help.

Our snowflake saw all that was going on and remembered what he was taught. He started talking about their creator and his love for them. He talked about the joy that should be in their hearts. The joy they had just a few minutes ago. He reminded them how they all felt just a few minutes ago and not to let their circumstance affect how they feel.

They should be joyful. Look at the children coming out to play. All with smiles on their faces. Look at how happy we have made them. All by just being who we were created to be.

Oh, how the snowflakes loved the children. It was a love with no end. They loved to hear the giggles and to see all the smiles. They even loved to hear the joys of screams as the children rode their sleds over them. It reminded our snowflake about how much the creator loved him. He remembered how much he loved talking and laughing with the creator. He remembered everything he was taught and he knew changes were coming.

Warmer weather will come and our snowflakes circumstances changed again. Our snowflake and his friends changed from unique snowflakes to drops of rain but their purpose was still the same. They will nourish the earth and provide the people with water to drink and water to grow their food. This is what we they were made to do.

They enjoyed many things in their lives, especially the children, but they each knew that they were brought here for a purpose. Sometimes they found themselves in unbearable situations but those that remembered their purpose never faulted. They stayed strong when others grumbled. They loved when others hated. Some had to change from snow to rain to fulfill their purpose but they did so with love. They knew that not all people would listen to them when they were snowflakes. Not all people cared for the snow. They had to adapt to the world around them and changed to rain so that others would hear the message of love, taught to them by their creator.

Like the snowflake, we are a community all made by our creator with one purpose and we will fulfill that purpose one way or the other. We each have our own unique blend of personalities, demeanor, and gifts. We also have to learn to adapt to our situations. What we talk about God to someone today might not work with the person we meet tomorrow. We have to speak love in a language our recipients want to hear. Do not judge, only love. We need to keep doing what we were put here by our creator to do and let Him, through us, open the eyes and hearts of those around us.

Limitless by Colton Dixon –

Hands and Feet by The Brilliance –

According To His Word by Jared Anderson –

That’s How You Change The World by Newsboys –

With Every Act Of Love by Jason Gray –

Ready Set Go by Royal Tailor –

Save Me by Jason Lancaster –

Living Word by Jeremy Camp –

Love Alone Is Worth The Fight by Switchfoot –

Living Word of God by Chris McClarney –

Hands and Feet by Audio Adrenaline –

If We Didn’t Have Truck Drivers

On December 10, 2019December 10, 2019 By roberthansen1317In Christian life3 Comments

Image result for thank a truck driver"

I apologize for not reading as many posts as I usually do or by writing much but the holidays are a busy time in the trucking industry.

Some of you may know I run operations for a trucking company and the holidays are always the worst time of year for me. Customers want their loads picked up and delivered, while drivers want to take time, extended time in a lot of cases, and 1 + 1 does not equal 2. But, I love my job. It is like putting a puzzle together every day, just hope I do not lose a piece of the puzzle.

In honor of all those drivers that are out there working hard, being away from family, long, irregular hours, delivering at 0200 one day and 1400 the next, I wanted to post this article I read.

Thank a truck driver, a delivery driver today because without them, our nation would shutdown.

One Month without Trucks

Within the first 12 hours

Fuel becomes scarce
Manufacturing delays an product component shortages
Hospitals and nursing homes begin to run out of food and medical supplies
U.S. mail and other package delivery services come to a halt

Within 1 day

Fuel availability will decrease, which leads to skyrocketing prices and long lines at the gas station
Manufacturing comes to a halt and thousands are out of work
Food shortages start to develop

Within 2 to 3 days

Gas stations are completely out of fuel
Without fuel, police, fire, rescue, and other public service vehicles are unable to perform duties, which further endangers public safety
Container ships and rail transport is disrupted and comes to a standstill
Food shortages escalate, leading to consumer panic and hoarding
Essential supplies – such as bottled water, canned meat, and powdered milk – will disappear at major retailers
Garbage starts to pile up, which creates breeding grounds for insects and bacteria
Medical waste and hazardous material start to release toxins and infectious diseases into living environments
ATMs run out of cash and banks are unable to process transactions

Within a week of trucks no longer operating

Automobile travel will come to a full halt
Hospitals start to lack oxygen supplies

Within 2 weeks

Sources of clean water run dry

Within 4 weeks

The clean water supply is exhausted and water will only be safe for consumption after boiling
The number of gastrointestinal illnesses increases due to lack of clean water, which further exhausts the already weakened health care system

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Santa’s Magical Helpers

On December 10, 2019December 10, 2019 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, poems, PoetryLeave a comment

Image result for santas magical helpers

The population was booming

Santa’s sleigh was zooming

More and more people were being added to the naughty list

But Santa knew there were still a lot of good that couldn’t be missed

He worked extra minutes into the long night

He barely finished before the sun’s first light

Then he thought, next year I must do something else

I can’t keep working like this, doing this to myself

Then right before his tired and sleepy body hit the bed

A crazy idea, too crazy he thought, popped into his head

I need to find some magical helpers to help me

Magical helpers who could even deliver before Christmas Eve

He smiled at the thought, presents delivered every day

He could just feel the weight coming off his sleigh

He wondered what the world would think of his wonderful scheme

Then he went to sleep and had the most wonderful dream

He put his plan together all year long

There was no way his plan could go wrong

He put it into action well before October’s last day

Christmas was here before trick or treat the kids could say

Sale, sale, sale, the biggest sale of the year

He flooded your inbox with emails disguised as cheer

Buy now, order now before you run out of time

Trust me, kids, there’s no reason to wait in line

You see, Santa’s elves had finished their making by June

Santa worked them so hard that the North Pole ran out of room

So they shipped everything and everything was gone

They sent all their gifts to a magical place called Amazon

Santa’s idea was going as planned and working perfectly

This year, he wouldn’t have to go down one single chimney

Santa called all his magical helpers headquarters

They said they were ready and awaited their orders

Then the orders came in and they hit the roads

Delivering Santa’s gifts in sun, rain, sleet, and snow

You know them as Amazon, UPS, USPS, and FedEx

Delivering Santa’s gifts right to your doorstep

Be sure to thank those who deliver near and far

Because now you know who they truly are

They are more than just drivers, they are Santa’s magical helpers

I sure hope they don’t bring me an ugly Christmas sweater

So if Christmas Eve comes and Santa’s sleigh and reindeer aren’t in sight

Thank his magical helpers who already brought your gifts before tonight

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The Christmas Tree

On December 9, 2019December 9, 2019 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, Short story, Who God made you to beLeave a comment

Image result for christmas tree farm

From the time she was a small sapling she knew what she was born for. She was born and raised on a Christmas tree farm. She heard stories from her family and friends about how one day she would be picked to go be inside someone’s house

Each year she grew a little bigger but each year she kept hearing people say the same thing. “She isn’t big enough.” “Her branches are still too weak.” “Her needles are too thin.”

She would wonder the same thing each year. “What’s wrong with me? Why doesn’t anyone want me? ”

Another year passed and she thought for sure this would be the year. She was almost as big as all the other trees but it was the same old story for our Christmas tree. “She isn’t quite there yet.” “She’s almost full enough but not as full as we want.” “Her branches still aren’t strong enough.”

Many more years passed and she still wasn’t being picked. She was really starting to wonder what was wrong with her. She was bigger than almost all the other trees. Her branches were fuller and stronger than the other trees. Other trees that were born after her were being picked but she still wasn’t. “Why doesn’t anyone want me?” “When will my time come?”

Another year passed and she was a full ten feet taller than any other tree. She had beautiful branches but she still wasn’t being picked. Now she heard things likes she’s too big, she can’t fit in our house, we don’t have enough lights and decorations to complete her.

Our Christmas tree was so sad. No one wanted her when she was young and small and no one wanted her when she was old and tall. She was thinking she will never know what it’s like to be decorated and look so lovely.

Our Christmas tree continued to grow and by the next year she was seventy-five feet tall. She could see the entire farm. That was when she saw this big truck coming on the farm. They came right up to her. One guy got out and looked at her and said “this tree is what we have been looking for. She will look beautiful at Rockefeller Center. We will decorate her and have so many lights on her. Millions of people will see her and admire how beautiful she is!”

Moral of the story is God will use you in His time. Be faithful and trust in Him and He will use you in ways you would never believe. We just have to be patient and wait for our calling.