Tis the Season!

Tis the season to run around like a chicken with your head cut off. Tis the season to not have a blank day on your calendar. Tis the season to stress about when you will get all your shopping done and how in the world you will get Christmas dinner prepare! HOLD ON - Slow down! Tis the season to remember that God sent us His Son! Is this how God wants us to honor that wonderful day? I would have to say - NOPE! But, it is hard. There are simply a lot of things to do this time of year. BUT perhaps its our attitude and thoughts that we could work on in the midst of the chaos. I don't have all my Christmas gifts bought yet, on top of that we are doing "little" Christmas gifts this year. I get worked up thinking about what the receiver of my present might think and of course I worse case scenario it. I am choosing to change that thinking. I am going to give my receivers the benefit of the doubt and believe they are more into the fact that we get to gather together and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ rather than being more into the gift they will receive. Let's face it, I can not out do the birth of our Savior as a gift. My character, my countenance, my attitude should all point towards my appreciation, my awe, and my acceptance of the gift of salvation and eternity in heaven! So much so, that it points others in the same direction.

I must admit I am not very good about not getting stressed out. But I am choosing to make an improvement in that area. Yesterday I chose to take my girls shopping at a large mall in a large city. We got lost twice trying to find it, then drove around and insane parking lot to find a spot. My stress got the better of me. I got a bit on the snippy side of things. I didn't want to be snippy, I wanted to enjoy the experience. So I chose to shake it off. We went into the mall and I actually had fun. When we got back into the car I had to apologize to my girls for being snippy. So progress was made as far as my personal growth goes.

Today, I still don't have all my shopping done and my cards have not been mailed. LOL! Really LOL! So, I am going to mail what I have addressed and the others may get theirs after Christmas - no big deal! Tonight I could kill myself and try to go shopping after work. BUT I need some breathing time. I need a plan. Tonight, I am going to go home and cook spaghetti for dinner and sit back with my hubby. I am going to make a master list that will cover all that needs to be done before the big day. I am ALWAYS more productive and less stressed with a list. I am going to thank God through out the day for all that I do get to do for Christmas. My girls are all still home - blessing! I am married to the same man that I have been married to for almost 21 years - blessing. My nephew who recently joined the Army will be at my house for Christmas - blessing. My mom and one of my sisters will be at my house - blessing. My sister in law and her kids will be at my house for Christmas - blessing. All these people WANT to be at my house for Christmas - blessing! I have a house for people to gather in - blessing! I love to cook and bake, especially for family - blessing. Do I need to go on?

All this to say - in the midst of the craziness of the season there is a place for peace, appreciation, and joy in all of it - It's simply a choice.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

D. J.