Pinecones have to be Perfect ❣️
The Perfect Pinecones 🌲❣️
One of my favorite baskets in our McCall home isn’t filled with expensive decorations.
It’s filled with pinecones.
But these aren’t just any pinecones.
Every single one has a story.

You see, as we walk through our neighborhood to visit the Grumpa Tree, the Grands know they have a very important mission.
Find GiGi a PERFECT pinecone!
The moment we begin our walk, they’re off!
Running into the forest…
Searching under the trees…
Looking behind logs…
Carefully examining every pinecone they can find.
Then they come running back…
“GiGi! I found one!”
Now comes the inspection. 😎
I carefully turn the pinecone in my hands.
Are all the scales there?
Is it nicely shaped?
Has it been chewed on by squirrels?
Is it completely opened?
Most of them don’t make the cut.
“Ohhh…this one is close…”
“But look, this side is broken.”
“This one is beautiful…but not quite perfect.”
The Grands always laugh and head right back into the woods to keep searching.
Those moments have led to some of the sweetest conversations.
We talk about how every one of us wants to do our very best.
We talk about trying to make good choices.
We talk about being kind.
Being honest.
Being loving.
And then we talk about something even more important.
No matter how hard we try…
None of us is perfect.
Only Jesus lived a perfect life.
That’s why we’re so thankful that He loves us, forgives us, and gives us grace every single day.
Somehow…
A basket of pinecones became a lesson about God’s love.
Today that basket sits in our home, filled with years of “perfect” pinecones lovingly gathered by little hands.
But there’s another treasure sitting just above it.
On the shelf is our Pinecone Family. 🌲❤️
Each pinecone represents someone in our family.
Grumpa.
GiGi.
Tyla.
Treyton.
Cruz.
Cleo.
And just last weekend, our oldest grandson, Treyton, walked over holding the tiniest pinecone I’d ever seen.
With the biggest smile he said,
“GiGi…this one should be Honey.” 🍯🥹❣️
And just like that…
Our little Honey Pinecone joined the family.

Every time I walk past that shelf, I don’t just see pinecones.
I see bike rides to the Grumpa Tree.
Little feet running through the forest.
Tiny hands proudly holding up another “perfect” pinecone.
Conversations about doing our best…
And an even greater reminder that while none of us is perfect…
We are perfectly loved by Jesus.

And somehow, that’s even more beautiful than the most perfect pinecone in the forest.
GiGi Will L💝VE You Forever & LIKE You for Always,
Proverbs 17:6 ❣️
Such a beautiful story ♥️🌲 Your Grands are lucky to have you!
So beautifully written ❤️. Amen Amen.