Ohhhh, Christmas tree!  It is January and my Christmas tree is still up.  After a long day, I turn off all the lamps in the room, turn on the tree lights, light my candles and snuggle up to watch Fox news.

You might be thinking, Molly, tell me you don’t still have your tree up!  I confess, I do.  I have had a hard time letting go this year.  I was so busy last year with so much to do, I didn’t even put one up, so this year has been a little hard for me to let it go.  The days have rolled by and I still have not taken it down due to the fact I do not really want to.  

As I was looking at the tree, it suddenly hit me- it occurred to me that just like this tree that has remained up for so long, there are a lot of us who carry around guilt, shame or unforgiveness for too long and have a hard time giving them up.  When you turn to God, He tells you that He forgives you of past transgressions (sins) and He washes them away as far as the east is from the west.  So, why then do we have such a hard time letting go of them?

This week I am purposing to take down the Christmas tree.  But, notice that I AM PURPOSING to take it down.  Make a choice with unforgiveness, wrongs that have been done to you or any other baggage that you carry around with you unpacking for all to see and hear about.  Pack it up finally. 

Just as others would look upon me as not being able to let go (for keeping my tree up for so long and me knowing I should have taken it down weeks ago), you also need to look upon what you are holding onto for far too long and let “it” go.  Give it to God.  You will actually feel a lot lighter and ready for what is to come instead of what has been.  It is hard to move forward when you keep looking back.

By the way, I am listening to my Christmas CD as I write this!!  

Molly