Stressed? Rest.
Don’t you sometimes feel as though the hurry and scurry of the Christmas season leaves you depleted? Know what? It is not even December and I am already feeling anxiety to get it all done.
It all starts Thanksgiving night. Can we not even have just one day to focus on God’s goodness? No, we are encouraged to quick– wash those dishes, pack up that turkey and get out and get spending! Christmas is upon us!! I think I feel an ulcer.
I want to be a fun mom at Christmas. I want to be a great wife and hostess. I want to send heartfelt cards with handwritten messages. I long to uphold family traditions. But all of these things-good things- must be secondary to a heart seeks God and longs to know Him. When we are dry and empty during the holidays, chances are we have been so busy icing cookies and stringing lights that we have neglected our relationship with the Lord.
If you are dry spiritually, stressed financially, anxious about tomorrow (or December 25th!) might I suggest that you sit with the One who can help you? Grab your Bible, and a mug of tea and feed your soul!
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” – Matt. 11:28-30
Meditate. Ponder. Be still and know that you have a God who loves you and cares about the in’s and out’s of your life, but who wants more for you than what is on the surface. He wants you to know Him. And that takes time.
Problem is, we have no time during the Christmas season. So we have to schedule it and guard it, so that it isn’t gobbled up with other things. We need to be Word- filled so that we can properly represent Christ and love others well.
Who cares if your home looks “Martha Stewart” worthy, if you’re miserable to the people who live there in the process? Know what I am saying? Mkay then! 🙂
I like Elizabeth George’s advice for making decisions:
“We must say no not only to things which are wrong and sinful, but to things pleasant, profitable, and good which would hinder and clog our grand duties and chief work.”( A Woman After God’s Own Heart, pg. 32.)
There is nothing wrong with having a holly, jolly Christmas. But let’s not neglect what is most important.
“But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.”
Linked to Miss Courtney here
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Such a fitting post for this crazy season. Just to be still and ponder these things in our hearts–that’s my desire. Thanks!
It is hard to sit still, isn’t it? Yet, so needful!
Thank you for the wonderful reminder to keep our priorities straight, especially during this busy holiday season where it’s so easy to get caught up in the flurry of activities and leave God on the back burner.
Hey! Great post! I am visiting from Women Living Well, and I appreciate your view of the holidays! Thanks for reminding me of what is really important, Happy Holidays!
This is so good… and so very, very true! In this ridiculous culture, Christmas is usually a time of huge stress, over commitment (time wise), and financial overload. It should not be so in the life of a Christian!
My prayer, as we enter this bustling season, is that our family- our lives- will be a quiet example of what a Christ-centered Christmas (and home!) truly looks like.
Time spent with our Savior makes all the difference- His presence frees us from the clamoring hubbub of this world!
I agree, Kristy. It can be so crazy,sometimes. I want my kids to be free of the lure of consumerism so they can focus on the Savior and being thankful for what matters. Also, I want to encourage them to give more than they get!!
God spoke to me through your blog and my soul says “yes”. I was starting to feel a little anxious about Christmas being around the corner and all that needs to be done, attended or purchased. I’m faithfully sitting at the feet of Jesus each morning but lately I’ve been distracted by the thoughts of what need to be done. Thanks to the conviction of the Holy Spirit through your blog, my mind is completely on Christ. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for this gentle reminder. Your blog is a blessing.
What a great reminder! If we neglect our time with the Lord because we are too busy then we are completely forgetting the real reason for the season.