Doesn't it Just Want to Make You Cry? 18 days countdown

 

Is it getting to you? The season, I mean. Is it getting to you? The stress of all that goes on during this month.

As a mom, we can be put through the mills as it were, by all it brings. Decorations, parties, gifts, Church activites, cooking, school functions, and what about those kids involved in Scout programs, hosting Christmas day. And to top it off the kids home from school for the next couple of weeks, possibly squabbling with each other. Or with you.

Let's be honest here. It can just be overwhelming. 

Well, been there done that. And I know what it feels like. Even though a lot of that activity has come to an end as I am older. 

Sometimes, don't you just want to sit down somewhere quiet and cry? 

My mom, long passed into the arms of Jesus-used to hear my complaints and say to me, "This too shall pass, Becky."  She could say that then because she knew.

And now I know so I can share that with you.

But more than that, I want to give you a little something for the next few days that I didn't have back in the days when the internet wasn't even a word in my family yet.

Crosswalk,org has an article called How to Let Go of People-Pleasing This Holiday Season

They have some very good advice about how to make the holidays less stressful and so I decided for the next few days, I will copy some each day here for you to consider. 

Today, it will be just the introduction and then each day I will add to it. Or if you prefer to read the whole article instead, please feel free to do so. 

So, here we go....

Does Christmas leave you feeling more drained than joyful? Here are six biblically grounded ways to quiet the pressure, care for your soul, and refocus your heart on what truly matters this season

I’ll never forget the Christmas my husband and I spent together as an engaged couple. There were sweet, romantic moments we shared, but Christmas Day, as a whole, was…miserable. Between breakfast, lunch, and dinner, we were at three different houses, constantly unloading and loading gifts, juggling food, and quietly agreeing, “We aren’t doing this again next year.”

What I learned that year is that even when you show up for all of the things to please all of the people in your life, you still don’t please everyone. One grandparent is mad because you were too full to try their special dessert, a cousin is mad because everyone wasn’t right on time, and an in-law is upset that you spent a few minutes more at the other family’s house than theirs.

Deep down, you know it’s true that you can’t please everyone. You don’t have to dig much deeper to acknowledge that pleasing everyone drains you, leaving little room to tend to your heart, mind, and body. This reality only escalates during the holidays, as more parties, non-profit fundraisers, family functions, Christmas pageants, and choir recitals pile high.

Before you know it, Christmas is over, and a big piece of you feels relieved. But should we spend our Advent season, one meant to rest in the hope, peace, and joy of our Savior, meeting the demands of countless people who are more concerned with their function than your soul’s well-being (and your family’s)?

If Christmas feels like a season of survival, all in the name of pleasing others, I encourage you to consider these six simple ways to let go of the unrealistic expectations and find rest:

(source:  Peyton Garland is an author, editor, and boy mama who lives in the beautiful foothills of East Tennessee. Subscribe to her blog Uncured+Okay for more encouragement

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Coming tomorrow: 1. Reflect on Seasons Past

Hopefully we can learn some things to do or maybe not to do to make this season a truly special time of those things that are actually more important.

Thanks for coming today, Friends.

Have a blessed day!