We find ourselves excited about Christmas and having everyone home. Fresh fallen snow glistening outside with a nice crackling fire inside. (Or the beach is warm and the water is sparkly!) Giggles, gifts and everyone glowing! This is not reality. Reality is we have may have explosions in our living rooms, tears flowing and people not speaking. If you want the perfect holiday watch a Hallmark movie! Expecting the "perfect holiday" creates stress for all. Everyone comes together and there is no down time. Everyone has to show patience! People are exhausted so they may be a little "testy." There are different personalities - the criticizer, the cheerleader, the slacker, the complainer, the exaggerator, the grinch, the wreck, the martyr, the passive-aggressor, the victim, the bully, the drama queen or king, the drinker or the emotional wreck. You've already attached names with faces in your head! We better get to praying! For all of us!
We probably get along better with our friends since we choose them and they complement our life! Proverbs 17: 14, "Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out." We cannot change how others act but we can control how we react. Proverbs 13: 10, "Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice." Maybe it is time to finally forgive that relative. Forgiveness can be the best gift you give this holiday! Ephesians 4: 32, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." We need to extend grace. 1 Peter 3: 9, "Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing."
There are a lot of lonely people this Christmas. By the grace of God, we are celebrating with our family surrounded by our many, many blessings! It's time to give thanks for God's grace and abundance. Let's keep the focus on Him. Let's pray specifically for our homes to be a drama free zone. Pray that we show grace and love to others. Pray for those suffering this Christmas. Merry Christmas continues!
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