So I said I wanted to continue my previous conversation.  As a believer, I have always been taught the real meaning on Christmas.  Every time I got a little out of control with "wish lists" I was brought down a few pegs to see that "things" are not what Christmas is all about. 

I began thinking about family at this time of the year.  I have been blessed - truly.  For a season of time I had an immediate family.  I spent a few years alone, but I know that I was not really alone.  The Lord was always there with me.  And now that I have relocated to KY I have entered another season of my life.  I live close enough to my parents to not be alone, but I also have a new relationship that may be the onset of new traditions.  I am blessed. 

However.....

In working for the last few weeks, ALREADY decorating the store with Christmas decor and listening to music, displaying wonderful movies, music, and ornaments, being totally surrounded by the Lord and His birth, I am reminded that even believers have the real meaning of Christmas slightly skewed.  Yes, family and friends are important. Yes, giving is more special than receiving.  Yes, things are over-rated.  But to put anyone or ANYTHING before remembering our Lord's birth and the holiness of this Babe in the manger, is forgetting the REAL meaning of Christmas.  Even those people who spend time picking out the "perfect" creche scene and finding a place of honor for that scene in their home are just slightly missing the mark.  (Now that I think of this, is this bordering idolotry?  Just thinking.)

So, here I sit in my recliner thinking about my relationship with my Saviour.  What would He want me to do during this time of the year, and the whole year through?  Who does He want me to be with?  What does He want me to do with my time, talents, and resources?  Does He recieve any honor or glory if I am stressing out about what foods to prepare?  Does He put any weight to my piddly efforts of making extra money in order to buy the "perfect" gift for that special person?  Is He pleased that I lay my talents aside (that He has blessed me with, by the way) because I would rather do what I want to do with my own time?

I have to be honest.  All this is so much easier said than done. I go to work and talk with people all day long.  I am humbled that I get the opportunity to work with such wonderful people who love the Lord and love each and every ministry opportunity presented to them.  It is easy to "remember" the real meaning of Christmas there.  But the minute I walk through my front door, something happens.  Somehow it becomes "all about me".  It's about doing what I want to do, when I want to do it.  It's about NOT having a family to think about.  It's about sitting and doing what I want to do and NOT asking what the Lord wants me to do.

So, let's come full circle.  Now that I see what Christmas is NOT about.  Now that I have decided what I SHOULDN'T do.  What am I actually going to do about all of this?  I have to admit, I have a difficult time even writing it because it will mean you might hold me accountable.  Well, I think my first step is loving people.  When a person takes the time to love, you get to know that person and what they need in their life.  I want to do what the Lord lays on my heart to meet that need.  I want to be His hands and feet.  I might see a potential gift for a person and imagine the look on his or her face were they to open it, BUT....it would still be about MY pleasure wouldn't it.  I am determined to make this about my being the vessel through which the Lord will bless others.  And hopefully, it will not stop but continue through the rest of the year.

Who's with me?

Haves and Have-nots

Boy do I feel lazy today!  My inability to formulate a thoughts to put in a blog has got me wondering about the choices I have made here lately!  This is because the down-time that I have had has been spent doing piddly stuff instead of actually being productive.  That thought has got me to thinking about the "haves" and the "have nots", especially during this time of the year.  Do you consider yourself in one of these categories?  Well, I believe that I can give you a formula to determine where you might stand.

During the holiday season I find myself always comparing this year with the previous years, whether it is the weather, the traditions, the gifts, or the mental state in which I find myself.  And now that I am in a different "place" than I had been for many years I am finding that the recollections are a little more real than in the last couple of years.  For two years I have been away from what I had considered the "norm" (disfunctional as that might have been).  The holidays are very different now.  I can start my own traditions, go back to my childhood ones, or find a combination of both.  And this is where I find myself today.

No, Thanksgiving hasn't even come, but working in a place where Christmas is already in full-swing with the music, lights, and decor, has caused me to examine what I "want."  When I look at the time when I was married, even though I didn't necessarily see it at the time, I was part of the "have" group.  I had everything I needed AND wanted.  And I expected that to continue.  Then came the divorce.  Now I was alone but was expecting the "same".  How was that going to happen?  Who was going to provide for me the things I wanted and needed?  Yes, I was assured that the Lord was going to provide for my needs.  I was never going to go without shelter or food.  But for so long this had not been enough.  I "wanted" more! 

I knew people from my past, and I have met more just recently, that barely had the necessities to live.  Whether by poor choices or by circumstances, these people struggle to keep food on the table and wonder how they are going to pay for rent, gas for the car, or electric bill.  These people are in the "have-not" category, right?  I am finding myself more and more in this category, but not a huge worry.  I know I need to be more frugal. 

So, how can you tell which category you are in?  Well, ask yourself, "What do I want for Christmas?"  Your answer will likely determine your position.  "I would love to have the new techie toy."  "That beautiful piece of jewelry really has caught my attention."  "That big screen TV would look wonderful on my wall."  If your answer tend to be in this category, you likely are in the "have" category.  You have gotten used to the idea of having things, right?  However...  "I would like to have my family together for a nice dinner."  "I want to see my parents healthy."  "Having the whole family around the Christmas tree." ...these are answers of those who are definitely in the "have-not" category.  So, where are you standing?

I don't know, but the ones who are in the "have-not" category just  seem to understand a little more about what the season is all about.  Or do they?

Stay tuned for my next blog where I examine where I am finding myself more and more during the Christmas season.