3 Surprising Things I Hate About Christmas

OK, "hate" is a strong word, I know. I'm not a scrooge... I do love Christmas. But as I've grown and been stretched in my faith, things get easier to see past that sometimes mask the true focus of Christmas. And it leaves me unsettled.

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Here are 3 things I hate about Christmas and how Jesus calls me to respond.

{Busyness}
December just started and if you're like me, you already have your Christmas to-do list in full swing. I can already feel my body running down just thinking about it. Target runs, thousands of lights waiting to be put up, endless baking to do, buying more decorations because you realized you don't have enough as your friend who just posted on Facebook. Some things start off innocent and good, but then become our focus and we get weary in trying do it all.

Jesus calls... "Remember that your ultimate goal is living close to Me, being responsive to My initiatives. I can communicate with you most readily when your mind is uncluttered and turned toward Me. Seek My face continually through out this day. Let my presence bring order to your thoughts, infusing Peace into your entire being".

{Materialism}
You know what I get so bummed out about in our society? We can't even enjoy one holiday without the other one showing up months before it needs to. Here's a blurb from USAToday,

"Retailers are putting out a little bit of holiday stuff earlier each year," says Mike Gatti of the National Retail Federation's marketing division. "They know a substantial number of consumers will pick out Christmas tree ornaments even as they're picking out Halloween pumpkins." 

Everywhere you go, we're bombarded with buying and satisfying those little empty spots in our hearts we all have. Trying to fill and fill so we "think" we'll be happy. These temptations are all around us. 

Jesus calls... "Come to Me with your gaping emptiness, knowing that in Me you are complete. As you rest quietly in My presence, My light within you grows brighter and brighter. Facing the emptiness inside you is simply the prelude to being fulled with My fullness".

{Pressure to be Perfect}
How many commercials do we have to watch during this season to feel completely inadequate? Or a failure? Not many for me. I can't get my husband the brand new Lexus with the big red bow... fail! I won't be happily making crafts every day when my children are home on vacation.... fail! I won't have a cute little apron baking goodies while my husband walks in from work... fail!

Let's admit we just can't live up to the standards set around us. What kind of world do those people live in?? Not mine, that's for sure. Let's be smart to know those perfect people we see in the commercials aren't real. And just tell yourself now... you cannot possibly complete all those things you pinned on your "Christmas" Pinterest board.

Jesus calls... "The world exerts a downward pull on your thoughts. Stay in continual communication with Me whenever you walk through the wastelands of this world. I am the culmination of all your hopes and desires. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last; who is and was and is to come". 

I love Christmas because of Who came.
I love Christmas because it reminds me of Jesus' second return.
I love Christmas because it means time with my family.
I love Christmas because I love giving.
I love Christmas because it reminds me of the greatest gift I have... salvation.



All "Jesus Call" excerpts were taken from "Jesus Calling; Devotions for Every Day of the Year" by Sarah Young. 

You Are Fine With Me

For those of you who follow my blog, I apologize for the lack of posts lately. My husband and I just returned from a little trip, well, guess you could say, BIG trip from Colorado. I spent many days getting ready for my parents to come watch our boys. Then the actual days we were gone... phew! I'm tired and ready to be a stay-at-home mama again... oh, and blogger!

Awhile ago, I blogged about a fear of mine. Well, I faced that fear this week... the dreaded airplane. {{don't laugh}} All of our flights were fine... and if you're wondering, I did... "ok" (notice, I didn't say, "great" or "awesome"). I struggled, I admit. It's just a fear that the Lord and I will have to work through. Read this quote recently and boy, did it hit home with me...

"Anxiety believes the lie that there is no more grace left in your situation." - Lacrae

My fear is coupled with much anxiety. Anxiety over the unknown. Anxiety over being out of control of my situation. Anxiety over a TON of "what if's...".

But obviously I am here now. Any anxiety and fear I once had is now gone.

So just wanted to leave you with a short quote which is really hitting me tonight. But first let me give a quick intro to it. I am reading The Help. This particular chapter is narrated from a well-to-do girl, Skeeter, who becomes quite close to their hired help taken place in the 60's in the South. Skeeter is constantly hammered with reprimands from her ostentatious mother. Her hair is too frizzy. She needs to find a husband. She's too tall and lanky and so on. But when she finds true friendship and love with the family "help", Constantine, her outlook on life changes...

Skeeter describes Constantine as.. "someone whose eyes simply said, without words,

You
Are
Fine
With Me."

How can I not think of God and how he sees me when I read this quote? Regardless of how I mess up. How little faith I have some days. The words, "You are fine with me" should be what echoes back in my heart. The world will hate me (Jn 15:18) and see me for my mistakes and shortcomings, but God loves me just how I am.

Are you feeling hammered down by the world? Are you tired of trying to prove yourself time and time again? Well, I can tell you that there is great peace in knowing God.

So go in peace tonight. And remember, you are just fine with Him.