A Shabby Writer’s Tree by Tina Yeager

A Shabby Writer’s Tree

by Tina Yeager

“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ^‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests’”

(Luke2:13-14, NIV).

Last month, I wrapped a puny evergreen in silver and gold. We chose this meek fir instead of her grand neighbors because she fit the space for which we needed her. Glittering orbs and garland filled the bare spaces among her boughs. Though once scruffy, the pine now dazzles as the centerpiece beneath which we submit gloriously packaged gifts.

While admiring our Christmas-spangled décor, I wonder how a tree representing my writing career might appear on a holiday sales lot. Holes gape between my boughs of achievement. Bleak and sparse conditions blight the needles of my results. Instead of a cheerful gleam, I sometimes allow my hopes to grow dim.

I remain keenly aware of my puniness in the lineup of evergreen messengers. Bristling full of best-sellers and audience members, other careers tower over mine. My raggedy work seems destined for abandonment in the shadows. In this season of celebrating glory, what Lord would want a scruffy wordsmith like me?

Only Immanuel, the Lord of Christmas.

On that first Noel, God passed up the noble and instead chose raggedy messengers who languished in the shadows. God saw the unseen, honored the unpresentable, and appointed the least likely candidates as his first gospel evangelists. A multitude of angels sang their divine commission.

Like the flawed little pine we adopted from the tree farm, God chooses meek writers to bear his light. He sees beyond our imperfections and selects us to fit a particular space. The Lord envisions a writer’s Immanuel potential, not merely our work’s potential on its own. His glory fills our emptiness, transforms our shadows, and rebirths our message bearing work as a luminous gift place.

The truth of Christmas shines its miracle into my bleak plight. Immanuel bursts through the darkness with creative power, life, and purpose. Through Jesus, glory and favor manifest where nothing had existed before.

Rejoice with me this Christmas. May we trust Immanuel’s hope and submit our gifts to his hands.

Jesus, thank you for rescuing us from the darkness and commissioning us to share your light. Let us submit our lives and work to your hands. Please rebirth our writing into gifts that glorify you. Help us trust you more each moment and may the glow of our faith illuminate the space for which you’ve chosen us. Amen.

 Award-winning author, speaker, and life coach, Tina hosts the Flourish-Meant podcast a YouTube channel, and the Flourish Today radio show. She serves as membership director for Christian Women in Media Association, on the marketing team for STRUCK the Series Streaming TV show, and as Director of Traditional Groups with Word Weavers International. To connect with her, visit tinayeager.com.

Please follow and like us: