Balanced!

Hi my bloggy friends,
Ready for a new type of post? I realize that for the past three days, I have looked at Christmas giving from just about every angle. Give meaningful gifts that make a difference. Give your time. Give your heart.

All that giving can turn our stomachs to knots.

A friend of mine decided not to decorate a tree this year. I, personally, was offended. I hassled her... then, another friend spoke up, suggesting that not having a tree might be a great idea. I humbly stand corrected.

Not to the tree part, necessarily (big grin), but to the essence of her point. Doing something -- particularly tradition-laden things -- can trap you in a place you just shouldn't be. Baking cookies to share with a dozen neighbors, purchasing small gifts for all the co-workers just because it's expected, sending Christmas cards (really, all those stamps are expensive and in this economy...), decorating the house and yard and even the car. Whew! I'm tired. My checkbook depleted.

Throw in generosity, giving to the poor, serving the homeless, or whatever, and you could almost literally explode. S T R E S S! What's a wonderful, generous, kind-hearted, well-intentioned person to do?

S T O P!

P R A Y!

T R U S T!

Stop trying to do it all. You'll be so tired you won't enjoy your family, your time together or the love of Jesus.

Pray and leave the choice to God. Lord, show me what is best for my family. Lead us to make choices this Christmas that glorify you. We give You our time, our hearts, our finances. Help us make decisions that honor You.

Trust His guidance. You aren't led to decorate the tree this year? Then don't let guilt or tradition (or a well-intentioned nagging friend) make you do it. Christmas isn't about the tree and trimmings anyway. It's about Jesus. So many "friends" on your Christmas list that you feel crushed? Trust God to reveal to you who to purchase (or bake cookies or send cards) for. If you don't find that perfect gift, maybe you aren't really supposed to buy one. Every time you pass the Salvation Army bucket, do you feel compelled to drop in a few dollars (this one always trips me up)? Trust that God will show you where and how to be generous this year. It's not that you shouldn't be generous. After all, Christmas is the season of love and generosity.  Just trust God's plan for your generosity. You don't have to do it all!

You don't have to do it all!


Trust God. Bless others the way He leads. Say NO when it's not the best thing for your family. Enjoy this season of miracles.

Merry Christmas!