The Challenges of Christmas

Dance week is over, and I feel like it.   Ouch!  Betty and I look like we've been hit by a truck!  Oh, it was worth it to see our daughter, along with all of the other dancers, perform on stage.  My car is full of glitter and fake snow.  I probably took around 10 - 12,000 photos.  But, I made some new friends, reconnect with some old ones and all in all, I had a good time.

I can't say that about everyone else.

Haters are hating.
Complainers are complaining.
The ungrateful are taking advantage of others, and the list goes on.

It doesn't surprise me that we notice such things during the holidays.  When we, as a culture, are at our pinnacle of giving, we see the obvious "Scrooges" among us.

Deuteronomy 15:10 You shall give to him freely, and your heart shall not be grudging when you give to him, because for this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake.

It takes a lot of work to keep Christmas pleasant.  If you are one of those families who gets along and doesn't have any, "issues" to deal with - consider yourself blessed.  What can you do? 

Do not give away anything that is yours.  I'm not talking about money.  I'm talking about joy, hope, and love.  Don't abandon them just because someone is being a Grinch. 

You choose how you react to someone else's behavior.  Don't let them goad you into doing something you will regret.  This takes practice and patience.  But you can do it.  

Champion what is right.  But if they don't want to agree, that's ok.  Move on.  God never created you to make everyone happy.  

PRAY:  Dear Jesus, give me the strength to honor you with all my heart, soul and mind.  AMEN