November 27, 2011

Dear Holiday Stress…

No store wants to be outdone on Black Friday.  In looking through the sales ads, I found that even local drug stores were trying to be the most enticing.

This particular angle, however, made me sad:

I’m not sure if I should start listing all of the reasons why this ad bums me out.  I’m not sure you’d want to hear them.  But isn’t it ironic that while most ads show images of glee, cheer and merriment during the holidays, this ad dampens the mood with a grim reality that has been known to haunt this time of year for as long as I can remember: stress.

Dear Holiday Stress,

I’m getting ready to celebrate Jesus’ birthday on December 25th.  In the same way that I enjoy looking forward to my own birthday and the birthday of friends and loved ones, I’d like to have the joy of anticipating Christ’s birthday as well.

So stay out of my head.  I don’t want your worry.  I don’t want your anxiety.  I don’t want to fear the masses, fear missing a great sale or fear getting the wrong gift.  I will not waste a minute of this special season entertaining unreasonable expectations of myself or others.  I will spend what I can afford and continue to pray for the creativity to avoid financial temptations.

And I will be thankful.

I will be thankful for what I receive.

And I will be thankful for the blessing of gifting to others.

And I will remember that I am already blessed beyond anything that I could ever imagine to deserve.

In fact, if the Lord never lifted another finger for me for the rest of my life, it would still take all eternity to thank Him for what He’s already done.

And I intend to fight to retain this perspective…  Especially this time of year.

Sincerely,

Suzy**

5 Comments

  1. November 27, 2011
    Jacob Baum http://JacobBaum

    Thanks for this, Suzy!

    Reply »
  2. November 27, 2011
    Momma @Donna

    Really glad you consider it a blessing to gift to others. šŸ™‚

    I do, too.

    šŸ™‚

    Reply »
  3. November 27, 2011
    Heather

    I much rather give than receive…and it’s usually something “homemade”:)

    Reply »
  4. November 28, 2011
    Zach Gwynn

    this is awesome Suzy. great perspective. It blessed me and helped brighten my day.

    Reply »
  5. December 12, 2011
    Adele Bernard

    LOVE this blog!!!! I was shopping in Fair Oaks the other day and noticed that many people where not being very nice. My reaction is…if you can’t go shopping without being joyful then why are you shopping. I LOVE celebrating Christ’s birthday. What a wonderful time of year!!!

    Reply »

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