At Christmas time, many of us decorate with pinecones in our homes, especially the cinnamon scented ones. The aroma from the scented pinecones emits a pleasing holiday fragrance.

When we visited Yellowstone several years ago, we learned that the lodgepole pine trees in Yellowstone would likely not release its seeds unless consumed by fire. What is necessary for those cones to open up and release those seeds is the heat that has generated from a passing fire. After the seeds fall to the forest floor, the germination process begins quickly.¹ Isn’t it amazing how  God, the creator of the universe can take a small pinecone seed that has been very dry or consumed by fire and it grows into a large tree?

The pinecone reminds me that often we as believers have hidden gifts we have not discovered. Many times, we have to go through challenging and difficult times for that gift to be released and revealed. Just as the seed in the pinecone must be consumed by fire for it to grow into a tree.

When you see pinecones or smell the cinnamon aroma during this Christmas season be reminded of Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you, and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

• Pray for your grandchildren to call upon God and listen to His voice as they go through difficult times growing up. He may have something special to say to them.
• Pray their faith will be strong when they feel consumed by fire when challenged because God has a plan to prosper them and not to harm them but give them hope and a future.

¹ Yellowstone: Ecological Blessings In Disguise, Written by Laura Krantz, Sept.. 14, 2008

© Lillian Penner 2010