It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here! I am so excited to get started. As usual, I like to start in the kitchen. I like starting in the kitchen because I do a candy land and elves theme that brings forth a sense of wonder and innocence, like that of a child. When I start with this room it just sets me in the right mood for the whole season. So for those of you who like to read that's what I'd like to post about today.
I am sure I must have posted about this already, but I feel very compelled to post again. Maybe it's because I personally have very recently gone through a very difficult separation from a job I loved and people I loved as well. Maybe it's because the news is filled with so much terrorism, hatred, division, apathy and disbelief. Maybe it's because even with all our online communication readily available people are still rarely communicating but are more into observing and placing judgement. If that's not the case in your world then you are certainly blessed. Don't worry, I am not going to make this a post about all that is wrong in the world today. Quite contrary! I am posting about something that is still very right in our world today!
I feel so blessed to have found the world of online blogging in regards to decor. It is such a huge joy for me to see all the pretty, sparkly, blingy and festive decor of the seasons especially during Christmas. I am so pleased to be able share even one fraction of that joy with you as well. That is what the heart of this post is. Sharing Joy and sharing love!
I truly believe that is what is at the heart of most who share their decor, crafts, projects, and holiday decor. We all enjoying showing what we have done as a sense of accomplishment but we also enjoy sharing the joy of it all too. Isn't that right?
I am a Christian and for me the holidays are so much more then all the trappings, though that does not stop me from decorating for Christmas. I know many of you are Christians too and I always enjoy seeing when you share your faith as well as your decor. Many of us do not spend much time sharing our faith online, sometimes even in person, though it is still there. Just because someone is not speaking faith matters to you consistently does not mean it is not there. Often a persons faith can be seen more in their actions then in their words. This is what I want to touch on today.
Too often I hear many who are so closed up in their minds and their faith that they are very judgmental towards others even more so this time of year then any other. Many people love to go all out and decorate and celebrate ( I am one of them) and try very hard to share a little joy and wonder of the season. I am always so saddened by those who comment about what a waste of money, time and energy it is to do so. I am saddened by agnostics who use it as a way to point towards Christians as being hippocrates for decorating when they should be focusing on Christ. I am even more saddened by those of faith who make comments about all the trappings being very un-Christian like. This one gets me most of all, because I think it speaks to the heart of things.
I am not saying if you are Christian you should decorate, but I am saying you should not be so judgmental towards those who do. Certainly, there are those who cannot decorate due to their health, age, or circumstances. Maybe some people are traveling, maybe some are not as fortunate to do so. Maybe some people just prefer not to decorate at all and maybe some prefer to stay focused on the true meaning only. All of the above is fine we each can make our own decisions about how we choose to celebrate the season. It is not up to us to judge how another celebrates.
But what I hear way to often is judgement and I really have to question. What really is your focus of the true meaning of Christmas if you get depressed or upset and so judgmental of others. Especially others who are trying to share a little joy and love. For Christians, Christmas is not just about the birth of our Lord and Savior. It is more in the joy of the Savior part. The joy of Love, a love that sacrificed that which was most sacred for all of us....and for you!
Wouldn't it be nice if all of us as adults would enjoy the season like that of a child. Doesn't God ask us to come to him with faith of a child? Of course their are many concerns in life to compete with our enjoyment of the season. But sometimes we have to learn to protect our focus. Instead of focusing on all the excess's you think you see from others, think of it as an excess of pouring out of love.
When I drive by a house that is all decked out in lights and ornamentation I can honestly say I never ever think they just want everyone to see what all they've got. Nor do I waste anytime thinking it is better then what I do. Never, never, ever! What I do think is, Wow! Look at all they did! I think of all the time and energy that must have taken, I even think about the cost of what it takes for those who go all out. Then I think, that family must surely love Christmas. I also think they must surely love God and their neighbors (maybe they do, maybe they don't) but that's the message I get. Because to me, what I see is that they are trying very hard to share a little joy and delight with all those around them. Maybe, they don't know how to share their faith or their love in words, maybe this is the only time and only way they share it. If it is, isn't that enough? I say it is. It would be nice if everyone was willing to sit and chat about their faith and heart things all the time but the truth is from what I have seen it is very rare. It seems more and more rare each day as so many focus on only communicating discontent.
Discontent is appropriate at times but when it is a daily occurrence something is wrong. Sometimes its a matter in our own heart, sometimes it's others. You can only change what is in your heart and let God handle the rest.
As the countdown to Christmas begins so goes the days of shopping left. Does this stress you out? I never stress over what others think of the presents I give either. I stress over finding what I want them to have within my budget. More often then not, I find way to many things and change my mind too often. LOL! My hope is that they will like what I give , but if they don't, oh well. If they keep it or not doesn't bother me either because it is their gift. It is theirs to keep or theirs to give away once I have given it to them. I tend to trust that those I give presents to know it's the thought that is most important not the actual gift itself. That I tried. It they do not know this, that is beyond my hands, that's where I let go and let love.
There are always so many things you can choose to look down on others about and unless you are willing to sit and speak deeply and truthfully with another persons heart in each and every judgement you have made, then you should just stop.
Or maybe, you could just learn to Let Go and Let Love!
