I know it's been quite a while. I will write on those reasons in the new year. I want to catch everyone up, but for now, I am simply going to get on my blog and ramble away. I haven't had much time to do this lately and I do miss it so much.
So because this is what my blog was made for, let the rambling begin!
Contents Under Pressure.
That's quite the phrase isn't it? I think we are used to seeing it on cans mostly but have you ever felt like this? Does it describe your character at times? Maybe more than ever during the holiday season? In church, we talked about the time period between Thanksgiving and New Year. Apparently, this is one of the most stressful times of the year and to be honest I can't say I am surprised by that.
Do you know why that phrase is on aerosol cans? Contents under pressure. Because one little dent, one degree too much of heat, one ounce too much more of pressure and BAM! The whole can will explode right in your hands. I feel like I have been living that feeling personally lately, and not just during the holidays!
Sometimes, we all feel like that though don't we? We walk around with our warning label, contents under pressure. We can just feel it, knowing that just the right amount of pressure and that will be it, we will blow up on the next person that pushes that wrong button.
I doubt anyone likes to feel like a ticking time bomb. I know I don't. Is there any hope? Anything that can be done? Christmas is a beautiful season and I know I don't want to miss out on it. I am sure not many people enjoy the stress of shopping, running from party to party, and all the obligations to family that come with this time of year. But do you want all of these things to ruin or enhance the year? Do you want your plans to be miserable or joyous? After all, this is the season in which we choose to remember and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
We know the pressure isn't going to go away. There's no magic wand that will take away all the holiday hoopla. So how can we enjoy the demand with contents under pressure? Is there a way to slowly release the pressure instead of making it explode?
There are definitely some practical ways to help keep the pressure from building. Like saying no! Sometimes we feel obligated to say yes to everything right? But this is not true. We do not have to go to every event, bake every good, participate in every fundraiser! There was a season a few years ago where my family actually went through a season of no. I wrote about it here in A Season of Rest . This was what we needed for that season and it was a huge blessing to us. God knew our hearts and He brought so much rejuvenation and joy during that time.
Of course, I am not saying that you should avoid all family and functions and isolate during the holidays either. We should not go from one extreme to the other but boundaries are good and boundaries keep the pressure down! The holidays, especially Christmas, are a joyous occasion! And I believe we should do all we can to keep the focus on that joy.
So besides the practical ways to keep the contents under pressure what are some ways we can keep our hearts and attitudes in check. I mean the last thing we need to be doing is blowing up on everyone who accidentally bumps into us or intentionally cuts us off right, ha! Even more so as Christians, this is a great time of year to show restraint and the love of Christ.
What can help us focus on the Reason for the Season? What helps keep our attention on the birthday we are celebrating and not the presents we are buying? Some ways my family tries, is by creating a prayer chain. We cut 25 links and write one name on each link. We tape it together and every day we tear a link off and pray for that name. We also read through a simple child friendly advent that prompts questions about how we can show people kindness, how Jesus showed kindness, what He is constantly forgiving us of and many more things. When I write out my calendar for December, I always pick one week (usually the last week between Christmas Day and New Years) where I have said no ANYTHING. No appointments, no therapies, no extracurriculars, no play dates, NOTHING! Now if we choose to go do something as a family that is fine. But it is not preplanned and usually completely spontaneous. And the calendar is blank from the beginning on December 1st! and that is such an amazing thing to look forward to! You busy mommas and daddys know what a gift this can be!
Most importantly, the answer to stay sane and joyful, is Jesus Himself. He is our reason. He is the celebration for the season and for everyday. Don't focus on the chaos around you. Like Peter lost sight of Jesus in the storm don't take your eyes off of Jesus in the chaos of the world. Matthew 14 tells us the story, Peter took his eyes off of Jesus and just that fast he was terrified and began to sink. I think if anyone can understand that concept, it's us who live in this world today.
Don't take your eyes off of Jesus. Don't take your focus off of Him. Keep a healthy mindset about the lists, the demands, the responsibilities and the expectations you put on yourself. Focus on Jesus, focus on His gift, and the way you want to celebrate Him and He will filll you with peace!
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