Is It Under the Tree?

This season I have heard more and more of my friends talk about running around getting gifts and stating that they hope the receiver likes what they got. Now, I have also been guilty of this thought process, but then my husband said to me, "Give as unto the Lord, not unto the person."

I realized that the wise men never wondered if Baby Jesus, Joseph and Mary would like the presents they got them or if they would use them wisely, they brought what was in their heart to give and gave it gladly. It was like they had to bring gifts to make themselves worthy to see the babe, just coming to see him themselves wasn't enough, they wanted to bless him. They didn't look for the praise and thanks afterward; their praise and thanks was in their hearts toward Jesus, the gifts were inconsequential.

This brings the question to mind: "Why do we give each other gifts at Christmas?" Yes, I know where the tradition started but why am I continuing to do it? Am I giving gifts to receive the praise and thanks from my loved ones or are the gifts inconsequential? Is the importance on the One who made it all possible?

I take this lesson from my three-year-old son. He knows that he has presents under our tree, one very big one that he has been eyeing for a week and a half now. Do you know, he never goes and touches the presents, but every single day he goes to the Nativity and picks up baby Jesus and gives him a kiss and arranges the people and animals so that they are all looking at Jesus. It doesn't matter if I go and move them back later I will come by and they are back like he had them before. It just fascinates me that even before he truly understands who Jesus is, his being responds to the fact that all the people and animals should be looking to Jesus. Now, normally I don't get too religious where my children are concerned but because I needed to learn a lesson here it became a very stark example for me. My question to you is, "Why are you giving gifts?" and "Is it necessary to run yourself ragged to be able to squeeze one more present onto the pile?" "Will you feel blessed to just be part of the season with your loved ones or are the gifts under the tree that important to you?"

I truly hope that you feel blessed by the season and each of you has a very Merry Christmas!

To Fight or Not

So, this morning I was praying and asking the Lord to make me joyful and a blessing on the inside as well as the outside. I can usually portray it on the outside whether I'm feeling that way on the inside or not, meaning I can hide my emotions when I want to. 

Okay so I have been selling clothing on eBay for a few months now. I've always gotten rave reviews for the items I've sold, the shipping being fast and the great state of my clothing (no rips, tears or stains). This is until I received an email just this morning. A woman bought two lots of my clothing and then emailed me a not so nice note stating she was disappointed with her product and I mislead her and what was I going to do about it. 

Now when someone calls me out on something and they aren't right I usually get mad, the reason for this is it hurts my feelings that they are calling me a liar. I always do my best to be truthful and honest in my dealings with others even at my own cost. It's a major pet peeve of mine when people aren't honest with me so I try and be very honest with others. 

So, I got mad this morning and wrote a scathing email back to her but before I sent it I felt I should send it to my pastor and see if I wasn't justified in my thoughts and feelings. Yeah my pastor is also my Dad and he and I share very similar personalities. Basically, I was sure I had a cheering section in this situation. 

Therefore I was surprised to read the reply email from him explaining that my situation brought up in his mind 1 Corinthians 6:7-10:

(When you resort to litigation it is a) blot on your community. Wouldn’t it be far better to just take it, to let yourselves be wronged and forget it? All you’re doing is providing fuel for more wrong, more injustice, bringing more hurt to the people of your own spiritual family. Don’t you realize that this is not the way to live? Unjust people who don’t care about God will not be joining in his kingdom. Those who use and abuse each other... don’t qualify as citizens in God’s kingdom.  (1Corinthians 6:7-10 THE MESSAGE translation)

In essence he was asking me to let it go...let it go!!!! This lady was calling me a liar and he was asking me to let it go.  I then realized as changed as my spirit felt that God was asking me to let it go. In response I found that my heart really wanted to do the right thing and somehow make this situation a blessing. This is when I suddenly remembered my prayer of about 30 mins before, how quickly I had forgotten. 

So, I sent her a very nice email apologizing and letting her know that my faith wouldn't allow me to engage in contentions like this and let's just lay the blame on me. I told her that I would refund her money and she could keep the clothes and do with them as she wished and I blessed her and sent her on her way. Yes, I literally mean I blessed her and sent her on her way. I blessed her with my words, my actions but more importantly I blessed her in my heart.  In other words I pardoned her in my heart and went on about my day, which by the way suddenly got much better.

Imagine if we did this more often with others. I challenge you that the next time you find yourself mounting into confrontation or dumped into the middle of it that you take a moment and see if you can't swallow your pride, lay down the blame game and just bless the person. This can come in various forms and ways. Here's the thing, we all know how to do it because Christ did it for us, we just choose not to. 

I trust you all have Merry and Blessed Holiday Season that is full of joy and festivities! Happy Holidays!