I can't believe I haven't written since the end of November. I was so excited about writing! What happened? Was I too bogged down?
I feel that I blog when I'm stressed or feel that God has put something on my heart. I haven't been ignoring God, I just feel distant. I hate that I go through seasons. I wish I was always on with God. But, I seem to struggle in many areas of my life. Eating, dieting, blogging. You get the idea.
Christmas is a holiday that I look forward to every year. But as I get older, I realize how much my life has changed. I'm no longer dying to see what "big" present I got, I'm now just excited that I don't have to work for a week.
I feel that Christmas has gotten out of hand. We traded in Jesus' birth for the newest Apple product. We've started practicing greed instead of giving, commercialism instead of sharing, envy instead of thankfulness. Christmas, if not careful, can cause brokenness. Brokenness in the bank, brokenness in relationships, and brokenness (in a negative way) in our own hearts.
I went to the mall to grab a card because I needed to send a package. People bumped into me and I apologized, I was greeted with grunts and glares. People weren't smiling. Maybe they're unhappy because this Christmas will put them in the red. Maybe they're upset because this Christmas they are alone. Maybe they're disagreeable because this Christmas they have been left. I don't know, but I smiled and showed kindness.
I left the mall very upset. Not because I spent too much money, or couldn't find the "perfect gift." I was upset because people weren't happy. Isn't this suppose to be "the most wonderful time of the year?" As I was discussing this very subject with a good friend, we both agreed we felt more like Scrooge this year the Santa Claus.
I told him that why do people stress about Christmas? Why do they go broke, etc.? We should be practicing Christmas all year.
How do we do that? Well, John 3:16 sums it up. God's love. That's it. It's so simple. Almost too simple. I know I've been sucked into "the spirt of Christmas." I'm not talking about the love, but the greed, loneliness, commercialism, etc.
So, as you are spending your time these next couple of days before Christmas Day, remember "the reason for the season." Remember that the reason extends Christmas, it extends religion, it extends race, it extends ethnicity, it extends gender, it extends time, it extends earth.
"Only love proves to be the truth." These are the lines of song that just happened to be on while I'm typing. It's creepy. God is an amazing God.
Merry Christmas,
Lauren
Awesome post, Lauren! Thanks for writing that!
ReplyDeleteI, too, was noticing the general grumpiness of Lincoln when I was out the two times I went out to shop. And I, too, have been hearing the Lord speak to me on love. It is amazing how many times I have heard on radio or tv about how this is such a hard, hard time for so many people. I understand that because it seems like when people lose loved ones over the holidays, the holidays become extremely painful sometimes. But these comments were mostly related to money. How sad that we feel so much pressure to buy, buy, buy. No one will remember presents like they will remember the time we spent together. Kids may remember a couple presents from their entire childhood, but the memories made during time together will last so much longer. And will in turn be shared with THEIR kids. Loving the people around us with smiles often reminds them that this season is not just one huge to-do list. Shakes things up a little at the mall, too. =) Good job, Lauren! And a great reminder!!
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