It has begun

[JohnDB]

I was in the grocery store last night picking up a few things.

Something was kinda different than normal.
It wasn't the number of displays of grocery items or the type of items.
It was the demeanor of the people.

Everyone seemed to be in the world's biggest hurry and fuss.
There seems to be the normal stress and worries in the air of having the perfect Holiday season...

People are rushing about trying to do their best to have a perfect holiday season...getting just the right ingredients so that they can make the perfect yams or sweet potatoe pie or dressing.
Getting the perfect gift for some relative somewhere...be it a child or adult before they are all gone.
The worry of having enough money to pay for it all..."the credit cards are already loaded...can I afford another one?" (Can't get caught not giving a gift..or too cheap of one)

It is soo easy to lose control when family members that we keep at a distance for a reason are all of a sudden thrust before us and exhibiting the behavior that reminds us why we don't call them more often.

If somehow before we get to the point of blowing up we can remember to use some of the same grace that God has given us towards them. They likely won't be any different this year than they were last year. They will still be obnoxious, alcoholics, telling crude jokes and/or leering at the more attractive cousins. They will still try to pick fusses and win them as you did when you were kids all the while knowing the exact buttons to push to get you irritated.

But this year...you don't have to react the same...you can choose to be different. You can remain calm and in control of yourself. Ask for what things you must have in your presence in a polite fashion...with a genuine smile and a generous heart. Accept them for who they are and not for who they are not.

Awfully difficult for God to believe that one minute we are genuinely thanking and celebrating his gifts to us when the next we are cursing and fighting with our own family members.

[RaceRunner]

On the same vein of holiday though...

When I am standing in line and I'm talking to the people (who are usually impatient) standing with me...I will say.

"You know...sometimes the Lord uses lines to make us to slow down and count our Blessings. He has to make us stop and slow down somehow......that's what lines are for....a time to count our blessings."

You wouldn't believe the "visible relaxing" you see in these people. They start smiling, talking and even ask what church I go to. And then suddenly, the wait if over much quicker.

Long Lines....such a nice time to count blessings, make friends and be a witness.