Shoes
You know the saying "Don't judge me until you walk a day in my shoes." Well, most people I know I can't really fit in their shoes, because I have big ol feet, haha. And trying new shoes is hard for me. My sister in law Laci helps me try to dress cute and she got me to buy these tall black boots last month. I though, there is no way I can pull these off... and I love them! Thanks Lou :-)
I was thinking about all of this while driving home from dropping my kiddos off for school (late). I had a very rough time with our boy this morning. Every step of getting ready for school was a battle, and once I dropped him off, I felt like I had just lost. I hate sending him to school when he is in that kind of a mood. Just upset about everything and probably feeling like I don't care about his feelings because I just drop him off for the day and leave. Its heartbreaking. So as I was driving back home crying a little bit, I was looking at the faces of other people driving their cars. And I wondered how their mornings went. Where were they headed? Were they happy about it? Were they running late like we were? And then the connection happened :-) (Love it when that happens)
Not only did I begin to realize the truth in that saying, but I realized that this whole morning ties into what we talked about at church last night!! Last Wednesday and this Wednesday our Pastor has taken up some of the facets of Christmas and we talked about where they came from, what the Bible has to say about them, why we do them, should we do them, etc. It was very good and very informative! (BTW did you know that the first Christmas tree was not from pagans! It was put up by a group of Protestant Christians in 16th Century Germany?) And then Pastor Bob told us that there are some Christians who want to "take back" Christmas from the nonbelievers and make it a Christian holiday again. Then he said 'Why would we want to do that?!?!" This is a celebration of our Lord's birth! Don't we want any and everyone to celebrate that with us? Instead of rubbing it in people's faces that we say MERRY CHRISTMAS, and the keep the CHRIST in Christmas, which are both good things, why don't we do it! And lead by example! I've seen signs and buttons that say "Its OK to wish me a Merry Christmas!" They are cute, but you shouldn't have to wear a button to tell people that! Why don't you wish them a Merry Christmas first! I've been telling people Merry Christmas all month! Cashiers, fast food workers, teachers, anyone I talk with, so I think they know that I'm ok with them wishing me one back :-)
So how does this whole Christmas thing tie in with walking in others shoes? Here's where I'm going. We as Christians are supposed to be joyful. And the spread that joy to other so they want to know what we're smiling about, haha! This time of year is when people get stressed, overwhelmed, upset, sad, angry... there is just too much to keep up with. Buying the right gifts, estranged family members or those who aren't estranged but you might wish they were ;-), crazy kids, crazy weather! There are so many things that can drag us down, and I know they have got me at times. So when you see someone who looks like they are in a slump, think about what they might be going through. Are they trying to figure what presents they can and can't buy? Did they just receive bad news? Maybe a loved one just passed away. Or maybe its a first Christmas without a loved one who passed this year. Maybe they had a very hard morning with their son who deals with things a little differently than other kids his age. Whatever their problem is, YOU have the solution! And its JESUS!!! The REAL reason for the Season! SO share Him with everyone you see! Smile at them, wish them a Merry Christmas, ask how they are and then listen when they tell you! Even if they just unload everything onto you, and tell them the encouraging news that Jesus was born to save us, He died to save us, and He lives today to keep on saving us! And HE can handle whatever problem is in Your life (He might have even put it there just so you can turn to Him!)
So before you get grouchy at all these stressed out unhappy people you see at Christmas time... share the joy of the season with them! Wish them a Merry Christmas, smile and joyful smile, and trying to be compassionate with what might be going on in their lives. And keep it up! Jesus is still the King after Christmas :-)
Hope yall have a great day! :-)
I was thinking about all of this while driving home from dropping my kiddos off for school (late). I had a very rough time with our boy this morning. Every step of getting ready for school was a battle, and once I dropped him off, I felt like I had just lost. I hate sending him to school when he is in that kind of a mood. Just upset about everything and probably feeling like I don't care about his feelings because I just drop him off for the day and leave. Its heartbreaking. So as I was driving back home crying a little bit, I was looking at the faces of other people driving their cars. And I wondered how their mornings went. Where were they headed? Were they happy about it? Were they running late like we were? And then the connection happened :-) (Love it when that happens)
Not only did I begin to realize the truth in that saying, but I realized that this whole morning ties into what we talked about at church last night!! Last Wednesday and this Wednesday our Pastor has taken up some of the facets of Christmas and we talked about where they came from, what the Bible has to say about them, why we do them, should we do them, etc. It was very good and very informative! (BTW did you know that the first Christmas tree was not from pagans! It was put up by a group of Protestant Christians in 16th Century Germany?) And then Pastor Bob told us that there are some Christians who want to "take back" Christmas from the nonbelievers and make it a Christian holiday again. Then he said 'Why would we want to do that?!?!" This is a celebration of our Lord's birth! Don't we want any and everyone to celebrate that with us? Instead of rubbing it in people's faces that we say MERRY CHRISTMAS, and the keep the CHRIST in Christmas, which are both good things, why don't we do it! And lead by example! I've seen signs and buttons that say "Its OK to wish me a Merry Christmas!" They are cute, but you shouldn't have to wear a button to tell people that! Why don't you wish them a Merry Christmas first! I've been telling people Merry Christmas all month! Cashiers, fast food workers, teachers, anyone I talk with, so I think they know that I'm ok with them wishing me one back :-)
So how does this whole Christmas thing tie in with walking in others shoes? Here's where I'm going. We as Christians are supposed to be joyful. And the spread that joy to other so they want to know what we're smiling about, haha! This time of year is when people get stressed, overwhelmed, upset, sad, angry... there is just too much to keep up with. Buying the right gifts, estranged family members or those who aren't estranged but you might wish they were ;-), crazy kids, crazy weather! There are so many things that can drag us down, and I know they have got me at times. So when you see someone who looks like they are in a slump, think about what they might be going through. Are they trying to figure what presents they can and can't buy? Did they just receive bad news? Maybe a loved one just passed away. Or maybe its a first Christmas without a loved one who passed this year. Maybe they had a very hard morning with their son who deals with things a little differently than other kids his age. Whatever their problem is, YOU have the solution! And its JESUS!!! The REAL reason for the Season! SO share Him with everyone you see! Smile at them, wish them a Merry Christmas, ask how they are and then listen when they tell you! Even if they just unload everything onto you, and tell them the encouraging news that Jesus was born to save us, He died to save us, and He lives today to keep on saving us! And HE can handle whatever problem is in Your life (He might have even put it there just so you can turn to Him!)
So before you get grouchy at all these stressed out unhappy people you see at Christmas time... share the joy of the season with them! Wish them a Merry Christmas, smile and joyful smile, and trying to be compassionate with what might be going on in their lives. And keep it up! Jesus is still the King after Christmas :-)
Hope yall have a great day! :-)
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