First Baptist Church of Herndon

The Tree of Gifts

Linda Soller | Jun 03, 2013

As we entered our sanctuary on Sunday of the Memorial Day weekend we were greeted by a tree. This was not just any tree, it was a big paper tree. Sometimes our pastor likes to use visual aids. The paper tree stood stoically in the corner. I have to admit it looked a little bare to me, but I didn’t say anything to pastor Sean because I didn’t want to question his crafting skills right before the sermon. The children’s lesson came and went and the silent bare tree had been ignored. At this point my interest was peaking. If not for the children then what was the paper tree going to be used for, the adults?

Sure enough the tree was for us, all of us. A big paper tree that magically had fruit. It was not just any fruit, the tree suddenly had three large apple shaped pieces of fruit. They were big and red and yes, paper. And it wasn’t really magic; Sean and a willing member of the congregation armed with scotch tape added the three pieces of fruit. You may have guessed by now that they represent the fruits of the spirit. Not all of the fruits, just love, peace and joy.

Did you catch that, “just” love, peace and joy? Poor choice of words I think. Love, peace and joy are too important to be paired with the word “just.”  As I listened, and I was listening, I couldn’t help but think about those very important three words. Joy that comes from sunshine and warm days, from hearing children laugh, and seeing those you love smile all that joy hanging there just ripe for the picking. Peace so elusive in our world and yet foremost in our prayers seems close enough to touch and yet just out of reach. Love that makes us happy one minute and makes our hearts ache the next, love that we are given even when we don’t think we deserve it, love that knows no color or language, and love that unites generations. All that love in the world is a gift from God.

The simple paper tree with the big red paper fruit conjured up all these thoughts.  Sometimes it is the simple things in life that really make us pause and think. I wondered briefly what thoughts were going through the minds of all the others looking at the tree that morning. Love, peace, joy and the greatest of these is love. Seems simple enough, doesn’t it?

Have a great week :o) Linda