Holidays can be hard especially when we just are not feeling the season. Our family has been doing advent and I have been really enjoying that time sitting around the table reading scripture and doing a devotional as a family however; my flesh and desire to spend money has been bogging me down.
I love hand making gifts for my nieces and nephews.
I love spoiling my husband and son with gifts.
I love buying for my girlfriends to make them feel special.
I love the lights.
I love the wonder and magic of the holiday season.
But, this year is different… more simple and less spending.
I know, I know we are super blessed with a comfy home, reliable cars and great jobs and yet, not being able to spend and shower my family and friends with gifts is bumming me out.
Thank God because he has more resources than we can ever exhaust. -A.W. Tozer
It is better to be patient than to be proud. –Ecclesiastes 7:7 NCV
If tomorrow is not promised and we are blessed today then why do we allow our fleshly desires to get the best of us?
The simple answer is we are seeing all the spending. We are watching others go crazy and maybe we are a little bit jealous. Maybe we have allowed our pride to steal our joy from the real reason for this season.
When life is good, enjoy it. But when life is hard, remember: God gives good times and hard times, and no one knows what tomorrow will bring. -Ecclesiastes 7:14 NCV
Retraining my eyes is not easy.
In my heart I know the true meaning of Christmas and yet still here I sit thinking and complaining internally.
What is the lesson here God?
What do I need to learn here in the midst of this struggle?
Grateful.
Blessed.
Fortunate.
Life is short and tomorrow is not promised.
I have a choice to make everyday.
Will I be thankful or will I focus on the things I do not have or can not afford?
O my soul, bless God.
From head to toe, I’ll bless his holy name!
O my soul, bless God, don’t forget a single blessing!He forgives your sins—every one. He heals your diseases—every one. He redeems you from hell—saves your life! He crowns you with love and mercy—a paradise crown. He wraps you in goodness—beauty eternal. He renews your youth—you’re always young in his presence. -Psalm 103:1-5 The Message
This morning as I sat with my terrible attitude I knew I had only one real choice. So, I asked myself these questions:
How has God blessed you?
How have others blessed your life?
Take time to thank God for ten blessings today.
When we allow Him to turn our angst and dissatisfaction on its head we can then release control and relax into gratitude and a heart of thanksgiving.
In this season of giving maybe we need to give more of ourselves and less extravagant gifts.
In this season of giving maybe we need to give more attention to building relationships and less focus on the glitters and lights of the world.
Father God help us to be about the true reason for the season instead of worrying about spending all our money on gifts and glitter. Help us to be present with You and our family and friends. Give us strength to retrain our eyes on Your goodness instead of looking at the world’s way of celebrating. Give us peace in the midst of this season of busyness. Amen.
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