I remember the emotions I experienced one Christmas when the gifts under the tree began shifting from toys to unwanted pieces of clothing. Everything inside my 10 year-old self screamed, “What the heck?!!…. this wasn’t on my Christmas list!! I don’t want clothes!” The internal attitude of my being quickly went from excitement and anticipation to ungratefulness, disappointment, dissatisfaction and maybe even some anger.
Isn’t that the way we are in life? Expecting one thing and when things don’t turn out the way we expect or want, we have either an inward or outward temper tantrum. We are not in control. This is not an age thing. How we handle change, disappointments and setbacks is a maturity thing. I think back on that memory and smile. Especially when I see those same attitudes and emotions manifest in our seven nieces and nephews. It’s part of growing up.
Lately God has been walking Holly and me through some minor life disappointments and curve balls. Areas that we felt in control of. I am confronted with this question. How am I going to react when life, dreams, hopes, and expectations don’t happen the way I expect them to? I am confronted with the reality that sometimes I can still act like that 10-year old boy in my attitudes, emotions and behaviors. Unwrapping a gift, expecting one thing, only to receive another.
Being married has brought many changes in my once seemingly controlled life. A funny shift that has occurred is when I think the “proper time” is for Christmas decorations and cheer to begin to manifest. For me, the logical conclusion is right after Thanksgiving. But for Holly, it can start as early as October. She wants the most out of her enjoyment of the season. Not wrong, just different. This year, Halloween had not even happened and our living room was quickly being transformed into Holly’s winter wonderland. It was strange hearing Christmas carols play in our living room while the neighbors across the street were putting all their efforts into making their home the scariest on the block. As Hark! The Herald Angels Sing played on Holly’s Pandora station, I listened carefully with freshly attuned ears. Tears filled my eyes as I was reminded of the meaning behind the powerful lyrics.
Can we for a moment, stop, ponder and reflect, and receive the greatest gift ever given to humanity? Can we ask the God of the universe to breath a fresh wind of His Spirit into the words of these songs and truly receive this greatest gift in our hearts. Is there anything in your life that prevents you from receiving this amazing gift?
At the beginning of time, God had a gift and plan in mind to restore the broken pieces of humanity and to restore our severed relationship with Himself. It is a true love story! “For this is how much God loved the world—He gave His one and only, unique Son as a gift. So now everyone who believes in Him will never perish but experience everlasting life. God did not send His Son into the world to judge and condemn the world, but to be its Savior and rescue it!” (John 3:16-17) TPT
We are excited to see what God has for us and Restoring Wholeness in 2020. Thank you for praying for RW and Holly and I. God bless you!
Brett Martin