As I was taking my Christmas tree down yesterday, I admit I was kind of sad.  Yes, I know it’s been over 2 weeks since Christmas but with the passing of my sister and other unexpected activities that God had planned for me, I didn’t get to enjoy Christmas like I usually do.  I wanted to keep the tree up and try to enjoy it longer.

As I was looking at the tree, I realized that it isn’t the decorations or the tree itself that gives me that excitement –  the “feeling” of Christmas.  No.  It’s the idea of getting to GIVE to other people.  The idea that people seem to be in a more giving spirit during the holidays because that’s what people do during Christmas. Right?

One of my new year’s goals is to be more encouraging to people throughout 2015.  I want to be an encourager and do things for people to make a difference and lift their spirits.  That’s when it hit me…………I don’t have to have the Christmas tree up to do that.  It’s not that tree that puts that “feeling” inside of me.  It’s not just December that lifts my spirit.  It’s the spirit of giving that can be felt ALL YEAR LONG!  That’s it!!  The tree is just the reminder that’s it’s Christmas and time to get in the spirit of giving.  But MY spirit wants to hold that giving spirit all year long.

So I said, “well why can’t I?”  Hence was born the new year’s goal to be an encourager all year long.  I think I’ll take a picture of my pretty little Christmas tree and put it as a background on my phone or computer and remind me to keep that giving spirit all year long……….or I could just leave the tree up???????????  Just kidding!