The
Season of Thanksgiving, Peace, and Joy
(Just a reminder for old readers, suggestion for new ones.)
Today
the title is the article. Now that my
days of preparing massive holiday meals are behind me I am taking time to
remember the emotion and mission of the season.
I am writing to remind us all, dear Ladies, to put the first things
first. Unless we make a conscious effort
to do this, we will find that we have missed the most important gifts of the
season - Thanksgiving, Peace, and Joy.
My
mother was a peaceful, joyful woman – except during the holiday season. During those times she was overwhelmed with
the tasks of the celebrations. She took on so much responsibility for
keeping peace with the extended family and satisfying the demands and
expectations of others that she ended up sick and exhausted.
I
learned at her knee to fret over everything, to make too-elaborate plans for meals,
gifts, and entertaining, and to believe somehow that I was being judged by
everyone by how well I did these things.
I suspect that some of you are doing the same as you read this. If so, I refer you back to the PEACE IN THE HOME series of this
Blog (See Archives). Everything written
there is important for this season. (Peace with God, Peace with Yourself, Peace
with Your Husband, Peace with Your Children.)
First
things first! Whatever you do, pray
first. If what we do isn’t pleasing to
God we are wasting our time and energy.
Be sure to honor God with your attitude.
If we plan it right the whole season will glorify Him.
Here
are some thoughts:
·
The
house is clean enough!
·
Don’t
try to serve everyone’s favorite dish at one meal.
·
Don’t
make the fresh Cranberry Relish, or other extravagant dish, unless someone else
is hosting the dinner.
·
Gifts
that really count don’t cost much; giving time costs nothing.
·
This
is a good time to teach children generosity, sharing, and thankfulness. Try a new
family tradition - Volunteer Day - give
a young mom a day out, sing for an elderly couple, shop for mittens and hats
for another family - Be creative!
·
Prolonged
guilt about forgiven or unintentional mistakes of the past is not from God.
·
If
this is not your happiest holiday season, try to bring joy to someone else’s. Give thanks, and try not to dwell too long on
what or who is missing.
·
Spread
peace. Send your first holiday card to
the relative who annoys or disapproves of you most. Include a little love note from the Lord.
·
Skip
the appetizers. Set out bowls of colorful
fruits and nuts (in shells) for family snacking. That will hold them until you
are ready to serve the meal.
·
Remove
yourself from all competitions; let the other guy/girl win this time.
·
Enjoy
God’s creativity as you strive to appreciate all the unique personalities
around you. (Yes, all of them.)
BE
AT PEACE! GIVE THANKS! REJOICE!
We have already received the Greatest Gift of All. And there is enough to share.
Tina
Green