For the past few weeks, people by the thousands walked through the little forests of trees that suddenly appeared December. Everyone looking for that special tree that would do justice to the families Christmas. The special tree selected would be taken home, placed in the proper spot and adorned with shiny ornaments of color and love. Indeed, for a short time, an exalted part of the family.
But look at the difference a day makes.
On Christmas day I stopped by several of these little forests and looked at the remaining trees. A lonely spot indeed. I stood there giving it some thought.
These were the misfits, the rejected! These are the trees that stood there day after day hoping to be chosen. They tried but somehow they didn't make the grade. Didn't sell. There will be no burst of colorful glory for them. They lay unneeded and unloved.
Even though I'm far from a 'treehugger' and trees have no emotion; I couldn't help but feel sorry for the losers.
Trees are one thing; people quite another! God feels for the losers and rejected ... that's where His people enter the picture.
We might wrap that lesson into a New Years resolution.
