Sometimes
all they’re selling is the idea of a gift.
Make this Christmas the one they’ll remember. If you buy this second you’ll get 80 percent
off. This offer will not last. Don’t be a chump.
This
is enough to make my heart beat faster and for me to pull the covers over my
head and concede my defeat to the holiday season.
Just
pass me by, already. I can’t keep up.
Last
year I confided to my husband that I really don’t enjoy the holiday
season. He responded with shock and
awe. He relishes frenzy and chaos, infinite
options, shopping to shop and deals, deals, deals. He can’t understand that all I want for
Christmas is PEACE.
He
kicked into action by ramping up his helpfulness with shopping, the kids, the
house. It helps, but it doesn’t stop the
constant buzz of external pressure to get out there, take Christmas by the
horns, and make it the best one yet by doing and buying everything.
I
have to say in past years I haven’t been very good about remembering the reason
for the season. I allow the
commercialization to get to me. I make
the season a chore because I am so grumpy about it. I resist what Christmas has become, but I
have had a hard time doing anything about it.
This
year, I’ve decided to pray. Pray when
the season gets away from me, pray when I feel like I’m drowning, pray when things
get a little too loud and fast and annoying and I focus on those things that
have nothing to do with what’s going on in my heart.
And
let me tell you, I have never prayed so often during a day than I have the past
couple of weeks since those Christmas commercials started.
But
it’s working. Jesus has talked me down
from the wall every time, without fail.
He reminds me in times when the blood rushes through my ears after a particular
flood of anxiety that he is there. And
he causes tears to well in my eyes when he quietly says, “It’s my life you are
celebrating. Don’t forget that.”
I
may not be able to stop the onslaught of all things Christmas, but then again,
I don’t have to. All I have to do is
look away from the chaos and into the one who makes everything right.
And
there is the peace.
*******
But as for me, I will sing about your power. Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress. O my Strength, to you I sing praises, for you, O God, are my refuge, the God who shows me unfailing love. Psalm 59:16-17 (NLT)
Jesus talks you down from the wall... everytime... how true, friend how true...... great read thank you !!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome... and thanks!
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