Proverbs 23:7:
For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.
I pray that everyone had a wonderful Christmas, but I know that not everyone did. Some because of circumstances out of their control and some because they chose not to.
WHAT???
Who would choose not to have a wonderful Christmas? Probably not many of us would choose to do that consciously. Though there might be a few. But just because we’re unaware doesn’t mean we didn’t make that choice just the same.
Count me among the unawares.
I’ve beein going around telling people that I love the Christmas season but not necessarily Christmas Day. I mean really! Talk about a bad attitude. I’d already planned to not have a good Christmas.
And I didn’t mind talking about it either. Talk about being a Grinch. That was me! Just because I’d had not perfect Christmases the past few years, I’d decided I would never have another one.
Talk about a self-fulfilling prophecy.
My attitude and my words were ensuring that I wouldn’t have a good Christmas—this year or any other one.
But God is good!
God’s Spirit spoke to my spirit a week or so before the big day reminding me that everything’s not all about me. I know! Shocking as it was, it was exactly what I needed to be reminded of. I decided to smile and enjoy the day for the people around me—because it was their Christmas, too!
And…. I had a good Christmas! And everyone around me seem to have one as well.
It’s amazing how when you focus on making other people happy, you get a little more happy as well! Well, actually, it’s not all that amazing. That’s another one of God’s principles–you reap what you sow. If you sow grinchiness, then all you reap is more grinchiness. If you sow Christmas joy, then you’ll reap more Christmas joy.
And I’m already excited about next Christmas.
An interesting point is that Proverbs 23: 7 has been one of my anchor verses these past few years as I dealt with my brain tumors. I would remind myself over and over that my thoughts had power when it came to my health. But somehow I seemed to forget all about that principle when it came to Christmas, and especially my attitude about Christmas.
Mmmmm…. I wonder what other unaware attitudes of mine need adjusting….
So, what have you been grinchy about lately?
UNTIL NEXT TIME…GOD BLESS & GOOD READING!
Tiaras & Tennis Shoes 
I believe you’re entitled to a few grinchy moments (but not too many.) I also believe God honors our attempts to finish the race He’s given us. God bless you.
Good post, and some brave self-revelation.
I’ve been grinchy about…well,me. The docs say I’m not going to live long, and I have some long-term projects, hopes and dreams…and sometimes I catch myself thinking, What’s The Point?
I look at the unfinished novels on the computer, and the jigged-but-not-welded airplane parts in the shop, and think I’m deluding myself. Other people get miracles. I get to feel a bit worse every day.
And then, by God’s grace, I simply get back to work, for two reasons.
1) Winston Churchill’s maxim, “When in despair, work on in despair” is a standard to which I have always held myself, and I see no point in changing now.
2) It really isn’t about the finish line. It’s all about the race.