Bah....Humbug! But I Got Over it.

You’ve had those days where you get up in the morning and before you brush your teeth you can tell that the day isn’t going to be a good day. Well, that’s how I woke up this morning. My alarm clock went off and I did my usual morning routine; stretched, scratched, rubbed the sleep out of my eyes and went to my room to pray.

As I began to pray, I asked God to protect my friends who are traveling, I prayed for my family and work associates and then I prayed for my enemies and those who dislike me. I’m not sure why I prayed that prayer this morning, but the more I prayed for my enemies the more irritated I became. I know you’re not supposed to get irritated when you pray, but this morning I did.

I begin to think on what I asked God to do for them; bless them, encourage them, strengthen them, and to bless their finances. Then I got selfish and begin to think of my own situations and things that I’m dealing with and I asked myself, why in the world would I ask God to help them when I’m in need of some of those same things?

The more I thought about it, the worse my attitude got. I thought to myself, this is Christmas. It’s the time of the year to be merry and jolly and gay. Not that kind of gay, but you know what I mean; and I’m not feeling any of those emotions today. I had chosen rather to focus my attention on my “problems”. I’d chosen to allow the things I can’t change to affect the way I feel and how I treat my family and those around me. Bah…Humbug! That was my attitude this morning.

Then it happened, just as it always does, God gets my attention. As I was driving to work I turned my radio on and the show I listen to each morning was doing a “Break in Christmas”. It’s a bit where they break into a family’s home and leave toys and clothes and all kinds of stuff for this family. As I listened, they started revealing all of the issues and problems this family had to deal with throughout the year. Things like their child being hit by a truck and having to deal with brain trauma for the rest of his life, the mother having to deal with fighting breast cancer, and as they list about 3 to 4 other issues I realized; my life and my problems are not so bad.

I have two great boys that are healthy and in great shape. I know where both of them are and I know that their safe. I have a great wife who is healthy and loves me in spite of my attitudes and bad moods. She cares for our family and she takes care of me and our boys. I have a roof over my head, a car to drive, and food on my table and although I may not have “extra” in my pocket, I am a blessed man. I have good health, I have a job, and most importantly I have a God who loves me. Why shouldn’t I be asking God to bless those who may not be as blessed as I am?

So again, I ask God to bless my enemies, strengthen them in all they do, encourage them to be more and do more and bless their life with good health and prosperity. Maybe they dislike me because God has been good to me and my family and they want what we have; mercy, grace and God’s goodness and His correction...I’m thankful that He knows how to get our attention…even at Christmas. May God bless you this Christmas and may each of you remember to pray for your enemies….even if it irritates you to do it. You’ll be blessed for it.

Just my thoughts on a page...

SAD or JOY....I'll take JOY please.

Over the last few weeks I’ve heard people say things like, “I wish this season would get over quickly” and “Christmas is getting so expensive”.  I’ve even heard some say, “This time of the year makes me sad” or “During this time of the year I sure miss my ___”  With comments like that you wonder if this really is the most wonderful time of the year. 

However, for most this really is a great time of the year.  They love Christmas and all that it brings.  It gives them time to reflect on the past year, a time to gather with friends and family and celebrate the blessings God has given and a time to share with others who may not be as blessed. 

But for some this time of the year can really be hard.  There’s the grief from the loss of a family member, the lack of funds to cover all the parties and gift giving they’ll feel the need to participate in, the stress of having to create so many meals and bake so many different types of goodies…the list can go on and on and it makes us feel real blah or what some may call the “blues”.   

In my research to write this “thoughts” I found an article by Dr. Angelos Halaris, Psychiatrist with Loyola University Health System.  In this article Dr. Halaris contributes the blues we feel to a disorder called Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD.  In this article he says, “This time of the year many people are vulnerable to depression”.  He goes on to say, “the disorder (SAD) is characterized by depression, exhaustion and lack of interest in people and regular activities and it can interfere with a person’s ability to function properly”.  He also mentioned that the mood disorder occurs in the winter months and can be brought on or triggered by the lack of light due to winter’s shorter days. 

Now, I don’t know if I believe that SAD contributes to our “holiday blues” or not, but it makes sense.  However, I don’t want to focus my attention on SAD, it’s depressing. I want to focus on the complete opposite; JOY! 

Instead of allowing the lack of sun light to cause you to go into some sort blah mood, focus on the true Light of the holiday…Jesus.  He’s the whole reason for the season.  Remember what Christmas is all about?  Jesus was born of a virgin, placed in a manger, visited by kings and shepherds and all of this just so you and I could have JOY.   

We all know what JOY is, don’t we?  No, it’s not the feeling you get from getting the toy you wanted.  Nor is it the feeling you get from giving to those you feel are less fortunate.  No, this JOY can only be known from once source and that’s by what Jesus Offers You….JOY! 

The whole point of his birth was to provide you with a gift that would include peace and comfort like you’ve never known.  That gift was something only Jesus could give…the gift of Himself.   John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave…”  It says He gave; it’s up to us to receive what He’s offering. 

This Christmas, don’t let the hustle and the bustle get you down.  Allow the Light of this world to shine in and receive the most precious gift you could ever receive….Jesus Christ.  I promise you won’t regret it.

Just my thoughts on a page this Christmas.