Today I found Jesus in a Christmas tree. I know some of you skeptics and Christmas haters think that the art of decorating a pine tree came from some witches’ tribe in Germany, or whatever the hell the legend is, but I am here to say that this Christmas tree has Christ written all over it.
It’s been kind of a rough week. I’ve been trying to put my iPad in refrigerators and going to the wrong bakery for business meetings and freaking out because I think I’ve misplaced my wallet, only to find it sitting in my lap. And that’s just today.
I have been sick, and had a different event or meeting every night this week, which makes for no ‘rest and recovery’ time. And as most of you know, sick Jessica does not transfer over so well to carefree-and-easy-to-work-with Jessica. So the pains and heartaches I’ve been trying to bury start to bubble up in short, snippy comments and whiny phrases.
One of the things I’ve struggled with since I’ve been home from the race is finding solid, consistent community. I have amazing friends, but they are all pocketed through the vast expanse that we call Atlanta. I don’t have a ‘group’ or a ‘posse’ or a number of coed twenty somethings whom I hang out with on a regular basis. Just me, my dogs, and my new iPad. (OK, I’m exaggerating a bit. Not about the new iPad though;))
Tonight was different however. I went to this AH-mazing event called Street Lights, which is a collaboration of Atlanta artists, spoken word poets, musicians and dancers coming together to bring awareness to the issue of human trafficking in Atlanta. While the event itself was phenomenal, it was the after party that spoke to my heart.
After the event, a few friends from home, the race, and work all went to grab a bite to eat. Just a normal Friday evening event for most people, but for me it was something I desperately needed. I was in Atlanta spending time with people my age, with similar dreams and passions, and laughing so hard together that we cried.
It was fellowship.
It was laughter.
It was community.
It was everything I had been craving for the past 6 months, packed into a few short hours. And it made my heart overflow with joy.
I know you’re probably wondering where my semi-obscene reference to a Jesus tree is going to pop up, (I’ll save you the confusion) so here it is. I got home tonight, and strolled upstairs to get ready for bed. All the lights in my room were off accept the soft glow of white lights and blue and silver ornaments from a Christmas tree. Someone had purchased a Christmas tree, decorated it, and put my silver-wrapped packages under it. And that is my Jesus tree. That was my sign from Jesus that he is with me, he knows what I crave, and that he is supplying all of my needs in his perfect timing.
So I cried. The simple, every day, some might say cliché Christmas tree made me cry, because it is a promise. A promise from the Lord that He is still faithful and that he will provide, in His due time, and I think I can wait. At least until the next tree. J
