Our friendly UPS guy hands me an armload of boxes.  We were expecting a box of parts for the house construction and a coat from Costco.  But this armload?  It blew me away, almost literally.  The strong wind threatened to push me over as I maneuvered the boxes toward the trailer.  Just too windy and too dark to look at the boxes till I got inside.

Husband:  (shocked)  What are all those boxes?!

Me:  (flustered)  Well, ahem, I did order a $20. coat from Costco.

He:  (accusingly)  What’s this big box that says Pro Plants?  What did you order?

Me:  Must be a wrong delivery.  Probably for someone else.  I didn’t order plants.

He:  Nope.  It’s addressed to you.

Me:  (incredulously)  What?!

He:  (disgustedly)  Where are the parts?  Drat!  They didn’t come and I need them.

Me:  Let’s open the plant box.

He:  (dutifully)  OK, let me open it for you.

Me:  A beautiful little tree!

He:  Here’s the card.  It says, “Merry Christmas.  Thought you might like a small Christmas tree for the trailer.  You could plant it afterwards.  It’s good in your USDA zone; cypress tree”

Together:  (in unison)  Who sent it?

Me:  (ashamedly)  Someone who read my blog last week about not having a Christmas tree.  I shouldn’t have complained about such a small deprivation.

He:  Who could it be?  Perhaps ____________and ____________?  Or ______________?

We reread the card for hints.  We eliminated some friends who wouldn’t use my full name.  We recalled dear friends who gave us a small indoor tree one year as a Christmas gift.  They knew that I cherished it for years and brought it in the car with us on our cross country move.  When we broke down in snowy Montana last January, the poor little tree had a setback but survived.  I had been considering bringing it indoors as a mini-Christmas tree, but it had grown and would’ve taken up more space than we could spare.  So perhaps it was they who sent this lovely little tree?  Or perhaps a relative?

Unable to solve the mystery, I was amazed to find a tiny set of ornaments and lights tucked into the shipping box.   I set about to decorate our mystery tree.  Old hands and tiny ornaments with fine gold string to hang with are a bad combination, but eventually, the tree was dually adorned.  I placed the bitty figures in groups.  Those playing instruments together, those involving snow together, and at the top a mini figurine of a child in a tall red pointed hat.  In lieu of baby Jesus, the little child in a tall hat would have to do.  I wound the tiny lights around and around the tree and to my delight they lit up with the flip of a tiny switch.  And there stood my Christmas tree in all its miniature shining glory on our little table next to the small poinsettia…and the three Christmas cards (What did I expect when I didn’t give anyone our new address?),  and the three pinecones from Husband’s parents’ yard.  It really looks like Christmas in our little trailer!

Another one of the boxes was full of books I had ordered for gifts and for gifts to ourselves.  This Christmas season I had been feeling dry in my soul and spirit and knew I needed a shot of inspiration, so I ordered books about Advent.  As I opened the box, I marveled that we live in a time and place where we can simply order up a dose of spiritual help.  I thought of many who don’t have that option.  I thought of friends in the jungles of Indonesia if they are still alive since their third world lifespan is shorter than ours) whose monthly paycheck barely covers food and who couldn’t afford one book, much less a box full.  I thought of brothers and sisters in my faith who live in hostile environments where anything Christian is banned.  I thought of tribal peoples who would have to read such books in a second language, not their mother tongue.  And thankfulness and awe washed over me.  I pulled out the book I had read sample pages from online which had hooked me.  I was eager to read the conclusion to one of the short stories in the collection.  Funny how stories pull us in, capture our imaginations and emotions and teach us without us recognizing it.  I read it aloud to Husband.  We were transported to the Alps and were surprised, entertained, moved, and yes, inspired.  The power of a story.

Mulling over the richness we received by one UPS delivery, I glanced over at the now empty boxes and thought I saw glowing labels that read:

Nourishment for Heart and Soul Inside, instead of just ProPlants.  It was truly food for my heart knowing someone sent me a Christmas tree because they loved me.  It was food for my soul to enjoy the beauty of that lovely little tree.

Nourishment for Mind and Spirit Inside, instead of just Christian Book.  The books are feeding my mind and spirit as I meditate on the truths they teach me.

You know what I wish for you, dear Reader?  I wish you a Merry Christmas filled with nourishment for your heart and soul, your mind and spirit.  Sometimes others can contribute, but we have to intentionally plan to provide for ourselves.

How do you feed your spirit?  For me, thrice weekly worship and instruction are priorities to keep my spirit nourished.  Reading Scripture every day keeps my spirit fed.  Often I need to read comments on Scripture during the week that make me think and consider how to apply the Scripture I know.  How are you feeding your spirit?

How do you feed your soul?  Beauty, animals and music feed mine.  We all see beauty in different places.  For me, it’s the beauty of the outdoors.  I live in a place of unparalleled scenic beauty so it’s easy for me to get a lift by simply taking a walk or a drive in the countryside.  The enjoyment of a pet and looking at photographs of animals and birds give me a big boost.  I make it a point to stop and just watch/talk to/pet our kitten, giving him my full attention several times a day.  What feeds your soul?  If you have young children in the house, you will have to take more effort to feed your soul but make yourself stop and eat soul food and teach your children to do the same.

Uh, oh.  Kitty is curious about the new tree.  I’ll wait to reprimand until I see his intentions.  Sitting on the bench, he delicately reaches a soft paw for the lowest ornament.  I brace to scold.  But he is mesmerized,  gently moving the tiny figure and watching it swing.  In a moment, he is off to other adventures.  But I remain transfixed by the glowing little tree.  And the kindness that sent it.

How do you feed your mind?  I’m curious about a number of subjects.  I have to admit that most of my daily reading (online) is non-fiction.  I read or watch tutorials to learn how to do something.  I want to improve my photography and PhotoShop skills, my cooking repertoire, my decorating savvy, my writing skills, and gardening know-how.  I know this is lopsided, so I plan to enjoy a few more classic fiction works this new year.  You know, the power of the story.  What do you plan to do to make sure your mind is stimulated?

PS  Got an email this morning solving the mystery.  My cousin in Colorado was the thoughtful sender.  Thank you, Cuz!

PPS  Last week’s blog, Christmas in an RV  is here.

Recommended Reading

“12 Stories of Christmas,” by Robert J. Morgan– so very well written that each story pulls you in by your heartstrings.

“Why the Nativity?”, by David Jeremiah

“In the Manger,” by Max Lucado

“The Dawning of Indestructible Joy,” by John Piper

“The Journey Walking the Road to Bethlehem,”  by Adam Hamilton