"To stoop, to condescend, to have mercy, to forgive, that is the highest glory of God." (Charles Kingsley, 1819-1875)
Outside, in the fresh air, riding my bike up my familiar trail, I was feeling energized with the strength that was coming from my legs. Yea! I hadn't lost the gains of all my hard work even though I had indulged in a few more Christmas treats and meals than what I had planned for. My eyes were drawn to the glittering lights and blow-up decorations found in various front yards. Some of these were beginning to be taken down and packed away in boxes. At least I didn't have that chore to do. I realized that I have begun to enjoy celebrating Christmas with less, especially less stuff. Oh, don't get me wrong, I enjoy looking at Christmas things like trees, evergreen wreaths, and beautiful poinsettas, but I don't have to have all that in my home or around my house to celebrate the holiday. In fact, less stuff is more . . . .
One more thing I realized is that Christmas isn't about the stuff we get, but rather what we give. My joy came from being the only "secret Santa" at my work, and for making time for an evening meal with my special friends. It came from packing colorful bags with pumpkin cake, caraway cheese bread, spiced nuts, and chocolate almond bars, to hand delivering them to elderly "Faithful Women" friends. It came from listening to a friend talk about her recent visit to her sister, now in hospice care, and being able to offer a hug and a prayer. It came from giving time to play golf together as a family, and to practice those very frustrating sand shots over and over again with my very patient son. The gift of time to share with loved ones and friends is what has made my holiday bright. . .
Yet, sadly, I see through the eyes of a friend so embittered and hurt from a marriage gone wrong that she has lost the ability to give. She sees her only option to survive this season is selfish isolationism. She calls with a depressing lament of all that has gone wrong for her and to her. Christmas lived up to all of her negative expectations. I just wanted to say to her that maybe forgiveness is a gift she could accept. Maybe she could begin by forgiving herself for all she never lived up to, and then she could forgive the rest of those she feels so wronged by. Forgiveness frees us and opens us up to embrace the only gift we truly have here on earth, and that is time. . .
Outside, in the fresh air, riding my bike up my familiar trail, I was feeling energized with the strength that was coming from my legs. Yea! I hadn't lost the gains of all my hard work even though I had indulged in a few more Christmas treats and meals than what I had planned for. My eyes were drawn to the glittering lights and blow-up decorations found in various front yards. Some of these were beginning to be taken down and packed away in boxes. At least I didn't have that chore to do. I realized that I have begun to enjoy celebrating Christmas with less, especially less stuff. Oh, don't get me wrong, I enjoy looking at Christmas things like trees, evergreen wreaths, and beautiful poinsettas, but I don't have to have all that in my home or around my house to celebrate the holiday. In fact, less stuff is more . . . .
One more thing I realized is that Christmas isn't about the stuff we get, but rather what we give. My joy came from being the only "secret Santa" at my work, and for making time for an evening meal with my special friends. It came from packing colorful bags with pumpkin cake, caraway cheese bread, spiced nuts, and chocolate almond bars, to hand delivering them to elderly "Faithful Women" friends. It came from listening to a friend talk about her recent visit to her sister, now in hospice care, and being able to offer a hug and a prayer. It came from giving time to play golf together as a family, and to practice those very frustrating sand shots over and over again with my very patient son. The gift of time to share with loved ones and friends is what has made my holiday bright. . .
Yet, sadly, I see through the eyes of a friend so embittered and hurt from a marriage gone wrong that she has lost the ability to give. She sees her only option to survive this season is selfish isolationism. She calls with a depressing lament of all that has gone wrong for her and to her. Christmas lived up to all of her negative expectations. I just wanted to say to her that maybe forgiveness is a gift she could accept. Maybe she could begin by forgiving herself for all she never lived up to, and then she could forgive the rest of those she feels so wronged by. Forgiveness frees us and opens us up to embrace the only gift we truly have here on earth, and that is time. . .
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