Fruitful fields and forests

We are experiencing the truth of Isaiah's words, Isa 29:17, "Is it not a very little while, and Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be esteemed as a forest?"

As we all looked at our budget, along with some unexpected car repairs, we voted not to exchange presents among the adults this year, but to do fun stocking stuffers. When we moved here last summer we left behind our old tattered Christmas tree. The one we bought here turned out to be quite a bit smaller. It stands in front of a lovely picture window in our living room and that makes it seem even smaller. But this house has a real fireplace and hooks already in place for hanging stockings.

As we treasure and appreciate all the ways we are choosing to celebrate Christmas, and some of the best was seeing our little kiddos perform in their school programs, along with a community hymn sing, we are finding much to be grateful for. The focus shifted from getting to giving and I, for one, found lots of fun things for the stockings.

But just the past few days our 'Lebanon' turned into a fruitful field when box after box arrived with presents from other family members. A fruitful field indeed! In fact, a veritable forest of gifts to surround the tree and overflow the stockings. It is humbling and very, very dear to see this outpouring of love and Love.

I became aware of a need and with the Christmas money I had saved up and then not used I was able to quietly help out someone who just didn't see how they could meet an obligation.

A fruitful field returns so much more than the original seed that had been planted. It multiplied as healthy plants grew and produced bumper crops. I love the imagery of a field of plants ready to harvest that looked for all the world like a huge forest. Much more than was expected.

This is a lesson I will long remember. It can be used in every facet of my experience and I know it will expand out to bless others as well. Mrs. Eddy writes: "When man is governed by God, the ever-present Mind who understands all things, man knows that with God all things are possible". (S&H p.180)