Its the most wonderful time of the year!
Good sense makes a man restrain his anger, and it is to his glory to overlook an transgression or an offense. Proverbs 19:11
It's the holiday season. Many of us will be quite busy; shopping, cooking, having lots of good times with people in our families that we may not see much at any other time of the year. Theres alot of good things to share in these holidays. It's good to remember that any time there are people together for any length of time, situations may arise. We all are a bit different in how we manage our lives and our family dynamics, with parents and children.
There are also other situations causing higher stress in your life, especially on the cherished Black Friday! The cashier looks really tired from that Black Friday swarm of lined up patrons. She's slower than you think she should be, and she snaps at you when you give her that look. Your feet are killing you from running all over town to get all those great deals, you just want to get out of there and go home to a hot bath, and peace and quiet. But remember, she is working on this day which is the biggest headache she has had to work through all year. She doesn't get to shop, her job is make sure your things are tallied and going home with you. So be kind,and be glad you're on your way home instead of working with frenzied customers.
Just a few weeks away is Christmas, There are so many other things to be done. The relatives are all coming to your house, and you want everyone to have a great time...
Soon the day is here and all is well, your to do list is all checked off; relatives have arrived and so it begins...
In just a little while, So and so's little one has gotten into the wrapped presents under the tree, and that mom didn't even offer to rewrap the said gifts, and didn't discipline that little gaffer who ruined the aviance of the beautifully arranged decor. And theres always that sister-in-law who, since she has 6 children is constantly giving you advice on how to get your child to be more like hers...Another relative is having a bad day, and is putting a damper on the mood in your kitchen. Someone else forgot to tell you that they were bringing 4 pumpkin pies and they don't need the 3 you spent last evening making sure they were cooked to perfection,
We all have plenty of opportunities to be really seasoned at "overlooking an offense." Life comes at us practically daily with nudges from less than sensitive people who carelessly say something that stings. In it all we have to remember, we are not perfect. People and relationships are more important than getting a pound of flesh from anyone. Wisdom says not to get into the lake of anger and let it swallow you up. Stay on dry land, walk away from the temptation of mulling the offense over and over in your mind. Move on, think about the times that possibly you were the one who casually or even intentionally said something that wasn't so kind, and hurt someone elses feelings.
Keep moving, on to better thoughts. Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are pure, and whatsoever things are of good report, think on these things... Phil .4:8
Especially at this time of year.
Jesus loves everyone (us included) unconditionally, and the greatest gift we can give him on the remembrance of His birth is to love others the same way, and with His help we can!
It's the holiday season. Many of us will be quite busy; shopping, cooking, having lots of good times with people in our families that we may not see much at any other time of the year. Theres alot of good things to share in these holidays. It's good to remember that any time there are people together for any length of time, situations may arise. We all are a bit different in how we manage our lives and our family dynamics, with parents and children.
There are also other situations causing higher stress in your life, especially on the cherished Black Friday! The cashier looks really tired from that Black Friday swarm of lined up patrons. She's slower than you think she should be, and she snaps at you when you give her that look. Your feet are killing you from running all over town to get all those great deals, you just want to get out of there and go home to a hot bath, and peace and quiet. But remember, she is working on this day which is the biggest headache she has had to work through all year. She doesn't get to shop, her job is make sure your things are tallied and going home with you. So be kind,and be glad you're on your way home instead of working with frenzied customers.
Just a few weeks away is Christmas, There are so many other things to be done. The relatives are all coming to your house, and you want everyone to have a great time...
Soon the day is here and all is well, your to do list is all checked off; relatives have arrived and so it begins...
In just a little while, So and so's little one has gotten into the wrapped presents under the tree, and that mom didn't even offer to rewrap the said gifts, and didn't discipline that little gaffer who ruined the aviance of the beautifully arranged decor. And theres always that sister-in-law who, since she has 6 children is constantly giving you advice on how to get your child to be more like hers...Another relative is having a bad day, and is putting a damper on the mood in your kitchen. Someone else forgot to tell you that they were bringing 4 pumpkin pies and they don't need the 3 you spent last evening making sure they were cooked to perfection,
We all have plenty of opportunities to be really seasoned at "overlooking an offense." Life comes at us practically daily with nudges from less than sensitive people who carelessly say something that stings. In it all we have to remember, we are not perfect. People and relationships are more important than getting a pound of flesh from anyone. Wisdom says not to get into the lake of anger and let it swallow you up. Stay on dry land, walk away from the temptation of mulling the offense over and over in your mind. Move on, think about the times that possibly you were the one who casually or even intentionally said something that wasn't so kind, and hurt someone elses feelings.
Keep moving, on to better thoughts. Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are pure, and whatsoever things are of good report, think on these things... Phil .4:8
Especially at this time of year.
Jesus loves everyone (us included) unconditionally, and the greatest gift we can give him on the remembrance of His birth is to love others the same way, and with His help we can!
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