FOODFORTHOUGHT

YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE A TREE
By Sally I. Kennedy
December 9, 2010

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the
one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 1 John
4:4

Although the calendar was barely registering December, the boxes with
the train were hauled down from the attic. To the delight of the
youngsters, their dad assembled all the cars and the track. All set
to circle 'round the Christmas tree once the tree was put up!

The adults were getting ready to go out that evening, and they heard
the kids in the living room. A little voice, "But I want to watch the
video......"", followed by a quick comeback, "No; you can't watch the
video. You have to be the tree."

When the adults rounded the corner, they could see the younger child.
He was standing stock-still as the train chug-chugged and circled its
way around him. His arms were raised straight overhead with palms
touching, trying hard to be 'the Christmas tree' as he tried to turn
his head to view the video playing on TV.

Sometimes I feel like the child who was trying to be the tree, even
though it wasn't what he really wanted to do. The world tells me to
do this, that, and the other thing; buy this, that, and the other
thing; be this, that, and the other thing. Sometimes I even forget I
have a choice.

The chorus, and a partial verse of a worship song, called Voice of
Truth (Casting Crowns) goes like this: But the voice of truth tells me
a different story The voice of truth says, "Do not be afraid!" The
voice of truth says, "This is for My glory" Out of all the voices
calling out to me I will choose to listen and believe the voice of
truth …..I will soar with the wings of eagles When I stop and
listen to the sound of Jesus Singing over me I will choose to
listen and believe the voice of truth.

I do have a choice. I can choose to listen to a higher authority.
The world will squeeze us into its mold, if we let it. But the
wonderful Holy Spirit, living inside all believers, will guide and
instruct us day by day, and moment by moment, and all we have to do is
listen and obey.

Nope, we don't have to "be a tree." That's good news.

inspirational messages by Sally I. Kennedy
Sally I. Kennedy, ©2010
http://www.sallyikennedy.com
To inquire, comment or manage your subscription, please email sally
at sallyikennedy@bellsouth.net

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