Encouragement
It’s the most wonderful time, of the year …
When the wallet is empty, the stress is a plenty …
Ooooooh where is my beer!!!!!
It’s the most wonderful time, of the year!
How far we have come! Christmastime once was a time of joy, of peace and of hope. Now, for many it has become a time of stress and depression.
What do I buy? Who do I buy for? How much should I spend? How can I spend?
Traffic everywhere we go. Fights over the last hot holiday item.
It has become about how much we can fit under the tree. The once hung stocking now on the floor, leaning against the mantle as it’s packed full.
The naughty list has fallen to the waste side as our gift given prowess is equated to our love for one another.
For me, the past few years ... Christmas time has been a time of depression, not joy. A reminder of how much I can’t do for all those who do for me all year long. A reminder of how much money I don’t have and what I can’t buy for my son. The once enjoyed task of decorating the house is now more of a chore. Anger flares up when the stupid tree isn’t cooperating with its stupid stand. Just go in the stupid stand!!!
Things have changed over the past couple years, slowly ... but as I stand here and look back, something has changed. My circumstances aren’t different. I’m not making more money. Expenses aren’t the same, probably a little more (darn power bill increases!!) The economy is in shambles and I am holding on by a thread, yet there’s peace. Why?
Going back over the Christmas story, the day of the greatest gift ever, it has slowly made me realize what’s truly important here.
When Jesus was born, He came with the greatest gift ever … our salvation. He gave us unconditional love. He gave us hope. He gave us peace. He gave us an example to live by. He gave His life so that we can live.
No pretty paper. No tricky ribbons or strings. As I see it, in the beginning the only gifts that were given were to Jesus himself (Gold, Incense & Myrrh). When was the last time you put a gift under your tree for Jesus?
Jesus was once asked, “What is the greatest commandment?”
29"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.[e] 30Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'[f] 31The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'[g]There is no commandment greater than these."
Love. The common factor. That is the greatest gift. You don’t have to shop for it. You don’t have to go into debt for it. No fancy wrapping paper is required. Just a heart. It is the only gift that we have all received that may be considered the only acceptable re-gift, the greatest re-gift ever!
Share your love with all you get to meet. You never know how much of an impact it can make on someone’s day, life or soul.
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Very well said. Thank you.
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