“If only my kid wasn’t so grumpy I could stay at the Christmas party”
“I wish I could spend Christmas on the slopes like the Jones family!”
“I wish I could do that!”
Ever notice yourself feeling as though you are missing out due to the situation you’re in? Perhaps it’s a financial thing. Sometimes when I see someone in a higher income bracket than me going traveling, getting nice clothes, etc, I feel like I’m missing out. Moreover, not being able to participate in certain social events can really frustrate me. Since having Luke, there are many things I cannot partake in due to the fact that the baby stage is quite demanding.
What does the Truth have to say about such predicaments???
Truth has often reminded me of a picture that each of us has our own pathway to walk. In each of our pathways there are gifts along it. Some are pretty and attractive. Others appear unattractive and uninviting. Nevertheless they are gifts. If I were to name a couple of unattractive gifts in my life right now they would be: feeling drained and staying home in the evenings.
Both of these unattractive gifts have enabled me to continue my journey towards transformation. I have had sooo many opportunities to experience my unfiltered thoughts (my husband gets the brunt of these!)…it is not pretty…but I desire to become unselfish and transformed in the likeness of my Generous Friend above. Oh to be more like Him!!!
As my frustrations rise to the top WAY faster these days, I am forced to face myself and have been invited to let go of the control that I desire to have over my marriage, the way I would like Luke to be, the constant mess in my house, and the fact that I can’t complete most tasks due to “wah, wah”! This is enough to drive me nuts on a daily basis. However, on the rare occasion that I can open my hands and let things go, Grace suddenly shows up with a gift of sanity and peace.
To finish the “path” picture above…I find when I look to another’s pathway with longing, I happen to miss a gift that is in my pathway. When I fail to be present to what is in front of me, I can’t receive what is.
So perhaps the very language of “missing out” is a failure to embrace what is, which therefore concludes that we are missing out.
Merry Christmas! May we embrace the unattractive gifts in our path this season!
1 comment:
well said, and well timed for me. :) was just saying to my SIL that in a few years, christmases will be so relaxing again, because the kids will be older and can be off on their own. here's to enjoying the now and keeping our eyes on those gifts before us.
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