Scripture

Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.

~Proverbs 12:25, NLT

Quote

Worry and anxiety are sand in the machinery of life; faith is the oil.

~E. Stanley Jones

It is human to worry. Even Jesus dreaded the cross. Jesus said in Luke 12, “I have come to bring fire on the earth – and how I wish it were already kindled!” The kindling of the fire was the cross and Jesus was anxious for it to be history. No human is free of anxiety. It is true, some have more than others but we all have our anxious moments. What we cannot afford to do is like the anxiety be dominant. When it becomes dominant, we are of no help to others. Christmas has always had it haters and unfortunately, many of them wear the cloth. They seldom come out and admit their distaste for CHRISTMAS but they find everything they can wrong with the season. Too much commercialization, too much Christmas music, too much spending, too much giving; especially on the part of those who can’t afford it. Without their being aware of what is going on, they become followers of Ebonezzar Scrooge. Why can’t they make a list of all the good things that the Christmas season brings and what on earth is wrong with being jolly? Do those battling cancer need us to be miserable in their presence? Do they need our gloom and doom? I can tell you the answer, and it is ‘no’. They need to see children excited about Santa and adults who are cheerful and upbeat. I should have named Hannah Christmas. The girl loves Christmas.  She is working on her list of folks we will visit. Our goal is simple: we are trying to spread a little cheer is a world filled with misery and suffering.

The LORD has convicted me about my attitude and so I have made it a goal to wish a dozen people Merry Christmas every day between now and Christmas. You try it, it is harder than you think. last Friday, I was at Union Hill Elementary and Middle school. I met the kindergarten class as they came out of the gym and I began wishing them Merry Christmas. Of course I was ho, ho, ho-ing and one little smart Alec  said, “You are not Santa Claus, you can’t say ho, ho, ho!” I said, “No I am not Santa but I am one of his helpers,” and I kept right on high fiving the children and wishing them a merry Christmas. Awhile after they had gone, the principle came over and told me, “You made those kids day. All they could talk about on the way back to class was meeting one of Santa’s helpers.” Mission accomplished, that was my goal. You can make someone day brighter if you have to will to do it.  The circumstances are not the problem; it is our attitude. We have no control over circumstances but we have absolute control over our attitude. We have enough gloom and doom. People do not need us for that, they can get that on TV; what we need is some glad tidings that will bring great joy. Am I right or am I right? So stop worrying about what your wife and kids are spending for Christmas and wipe that frown off your face. Tis the season to be jolly, so top being a scrooge and spread the cheer.

Extra

I sure enjoy this warm weather but June tells me the cold is coming. Ride the wave; enjoy it while it last. Today is Friday I think so have a good weekend. I have a busy one planned. LORD willing, we will be in Athens tonight and I will be cooking {with June’s help} Saturday for the GRACE POINT CHRISTMAS which is Sunday. Then Christmas for June’s family is Sunday night. Merry Christmas everyone! Pray for our friends who are hurting!