[Faith-talk] FW: [thefamilyoffaith] Holiday Blues | Encouragement For Today | Proverbs 31 Ministries

[Eric Calhoun]

Original Message: 
From: "thefamilyoffaith" <TheFamilyofFaith at tampabay.rr.com>
To: <thefamilyoffaith at yahoogroups.com>
Subject: [thefamilyoffaith] Holiday Blues | Encouragement For Today |
Proverbs 31  Ministries
Date: 
Fri, 25 Nov 2011 09:02:54 -0500




           
               
           
                        November 25, 2011

                              Holiday Blues
                              T. Suzanne Eller
                             


                          "There is joy for those who deal justly with
others and always do what is right." Psalm 106:3 (NLT)
                        "I don't like the holidays," I whispered.
                         
                        I used to love holidays, before I was married.
Before I felt the pull to be everywhere at the same time. Before any
decisions that I made left someone upset or angry or feeling left out.
                         
                        I struggled with a desire to be home, to start my
own traditions with my young children and husband. We were the first to be
married in both families, and thus the first to break "how it's always
been."
                         
                        Thanksgiving was a time to be thankful. All I
felt was stretched thin. Christmas was a time to be joyous but I usually
felt frustrated.
                         
                        As we had children, I tried to mask my
frustration with enthusiasm. We had fun setting out pumpkins. We decorated
the house. But inside I wrestled because I knew the stress that was coming
trying to be all things to all the people in my life.
                         
                        Looking back, I wonder why I didn't say anything.
Instead, I simply let it fester. I didn't take into account that if I kept
silent things would never change. I just simmered in anger.
                         
                        Thirty years later, I treasure the holidays. It
took time, but I finally learned to share my needs. I found the courage to
tell my extended family that trying to be everywhere in such a short time
was exhausting.
                         
                        We all made an effort to see each other's point
of view. We didn't approach in anger, but with a willingness to work
through the conflict with honesty and grace. Some were open. Others were
not, especially in the beginning. If they were flexible, we rejoiced. If
not, we didn't take it personally. We knew change takes time.
                         
                        Perhaps the greatest gift that we received came
later. When our children married, suddenly there were several families in
the mix. We told our children that it's not the date on the calendar that
makes holidays special. It's the heart behind the holidays. It's spending
time with people you love.
                         
                        So, sometimes we get together on Thanksgiving, or
maybe the week after. Maybe it's Christmas only, while Thanksgiving is
spent with other family members. If they aren't with us on a specific day,
my husband and I fill that time with a new tradition - just the two of us.
                         
                        What we discovered is that by letting go, our
kids come more often because there's no pressure. They let us in on their
traditions. Regardless of the date, when we do get together we have fun!
It's a gift we give our family and ourselves.
                         

                          Dear Lord, thank You for my family. I'm
grateful for so many things, and one of those is family who loves me enough
to want to be with me. Help me to share my needs with my loved ones, and to
do it with grace and gentleness. Help me not to take it personal as they
struggle with change. If I am the one that is inflexible, help me to bend
and grow. Help me to be thankful every day for all that I have been given.
In Jesus' Name, Amen.

                         
                        Application Steps:
                        Have you shared your needs? Articulate them on
paper.
                        Share them at the right time, in the right
attitude. Don't take responses personally. Change takes time.
                        Exchange the holiday blues for a new song.
Worship God as you thank Him for all the good things around you.
                         
                        Reflections:
                        If I am the one struggling with change, am I
willing to be flexible?
                        Instead of focusing on a specific date, I can
focus on the heart of the holiday.
                        I'll write down all the things for which I am
thankful to share with my children.
                         
                        Power Verses:
                        Psalm 106:1-2, "Praise the Lord! Give thanks to
the Lord, for his is good! His faithful love endures forever. Who can list
the glorious miracles of the Lord? Who can ever praise him enough?" (NLT)
                         
                        © 2011 by T. Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.
                         
                        Proverbs 31 Ministries
                        616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
                        Matthews, NC 28105
                        www.Proverbs31.org

                        Proverbs 31 Ministries
                        616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road, Matthews, NC 28105
                        877-P31-HOME (877-731-4663)