by Sondra Dron
Christmas used to cause me
debilitating stress. I pictured myself wrestling with a muscle-bound opponent.
I longed to push his face in the mat, triumphant over him. Perfectionism embellished the front of his muscle shirt. I was in
the ring, battling for my trophy belt bejeweled with the words Christmas Sanity.
How did I make peace with Christmas?
May I gratefully share things I have discovered in several decades of
Christmas?
1. I can let go.
I have come to realize I cannot guarantee anybody’s Merry Christmas. People are
as merry as they choose to be. We can express
love, but no matter what we do or how much we spend, people will react based on
their perceptions and expectations. We can let go of our need to control their happy
or unhappy responses.
2. I can cling to the peace and joy of Christmas,
but I can set myself free from traditions that don’t work in the present. I’m
not required to bake a dozen cookies for each neighbor because my mother did. I
can prayerfully ponder what’s meaningful now.
3. I can be gentle,
especially with myself. I can release swollen expectations of what I need to
accomplish. I choose to re-evaluate anything that causes anxiety. Am I trying to impress or please? Is love at
the core of it?
4. I can be firm,
especially with myself. I can restrain impulse buying that will lead to New
Year stress. Even children can understand that it’s about the manger and the
cross, not the tree and the gifts.
5.
I can say yes and no to invitations and
commitments. Yes to those that will
bring joy to me and others. I can say no
and still be a good person. Even Jesus said no
to family and friends. He delayed in going to Lazarus and did not stop ministering
when His mother and brothers wanted to talk with Him. (John 11 and Luke 8)
6.
I can give freely to those who can’t or won’t give
back. I can give as unto God. I can invest in a person. I can take a risk.
7.
I can receive graciously. I can say “Thank you,” and not rush
to buy a gift for the giver.
8. I can laugh, intentionally.
I watch funny movies, listen to funny songs and invite children over. I
accentuate the holly jolly. I give
myself permission to enjoy.
9. I can be still. I can stop shopping, cooking and
cleaning. I can light a candle and do nothing but stare.
10. I can pray with the above candle burning. I let God whisper. I close my eyes. I embrace the Love of the Universe and let
Him embrace me. Perfect sanity.
What is your level of sanity so far this
season?
Have you found a treatment for
insanity at Christmas? Please take a
minute to share it.
Sondra
Dron loves to help others find intimacy with Jesus. She is charter member of Wilmington Word Weavers, a writers critique group. She lives in Wilmington with her
husband, David.
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