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Sacred Stories | Ladybug’s Christmas Tree

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“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good

works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” - Matthew 5:16 NRSV

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Sometimes God lets you know that you are part of His plan. When He does, you are blessed. Such was the case just before Christmas a few years ago.

A colleague and I were just getting to know one another. She had moved after her mother passed away so she could be closer to her grown children.

She was so tiny. The first time I saw her, she had red on, so I thought I’d call her Ladybug. In November, I asked her if she had decorated for Christmas. After all, my tree had been up since Halloween. She somberly said she didn’t decorate for Christmas anymore. I wondered why, but she didn’t elaborate.

Soon after, I was shopping and saw a rosemary plant shaped like a Christmas tree. I instantly thought of my new colleague. I decided to buy some lights, put them on the plant, and put the plant on her desk.

When I arrived to deliver it, she was on a break, so I placed the tree on her desk and left. When I returned home, she had already left a message for me. “You don’t know what you did, give me a call,” she said.

When I returned her call, she told me that on her way to work that morning she had longed for her mother. She prayed to God and wondered if He even heard her. “Do you know what my mother’s name is?” she asked. “It’s Rosemary! Did you read the card attached to the plant? It says rosemary means friendship, love and remembrance.”

Shared from the Sacred Stories Archive

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Questions for Reflection

What is a special memory you have from a holiday?

Can you remember a time that you realized you were part of God’s plan?

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