Tomorrow, we are going to get the tree. We are going to do what we have done for years as a family, walk all over the tree farm and spy out the perfect one. We may fuss a little and bicker a while before my husband will put the ax to the trunk and drag it home, where we eventually catapult it in the prepared corner of the living room.
Every year, I get out that box, the one with all the special ornaments from Christmases past. Every year, I struggle.
I struggle to sort through the onslaught of memories that suddenly, without warning flood my mind. Christmas memories from when I was a child mingle with last year’s. But it’s not just my memories, it’s my kids’ memories, adopted and biological. My husband has memories as well. So many pasts and so many different emotions, all suddenly pour into the living room and try to find a place on that tree, which often seems too small to hold it all.
This year I am convicted about the choice of my memories. I have been thinking much about how I choose what I remember and how that choice reflects my ability to forget, forgive, and to love instead. I don’t want to be ignorant about pains and hurts, but I do have a choice to let some things go and make room for good and helpful memories to be made for years to come.
“God, help me to wade through this season’s memories.
Help me to know that in remembering the right things,
I show forgiveness and ultimately Your love.
Help me to be a tool in the memory making process for others.
Help me to remind them that this season is all about Your love and forgiveness,
and in that point them to Your Son Jesus Christ.
Thank You, LORD, for remembering Your people,
and making a way for us to come to You!”
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Philippians 4:8
Heidi Viars 
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