blessed | The Change

Stressed but Blessed

John Lennon’s “So This Is Christmas” states…So this is Christmas, and what have you done, another year over, and a new one just begun…

Can you even begin to comprehend that this year is close to the end? Christmas time is here again and I still haven’t recovered from last Christmas…luckily some of my decorations were still out…so I didn’t have to put them out again! So much to do and so little time…Rush! Rush! Rush! Run from this store to that store, this party to that party, order presents, food, attend church, wrap presents – oh wait and all your work, family, church and community obligations that are always there! Exercise…ha! I get my exercise doing all this running around! Dieting…ha! I am not eating lunch most days…well I do snack on treats, cookies, casseroles and such because you can’t hurt anyone’s feelings so you have to partake! Why are the holidays so maddening? I think we create this world and we believe we have to attend all events, eat all the snacks, have the perfectly decorated house and cook, clean and have it all! We need to be the mom that makes the cute things from Pinterest, that has every room…laundry room and bathroom included, decorated; and we attend all the musicals, plays, visit all the decorations and lights in the area; and attend church of course! We must be the perfect mom and create the perfect Christmas experience! Do you feel the stress?

STOP, Drop & ROLL!!!

OK STOP right now! DROP to your knees and just start thanking God for all you have…a great family, church, job, friends, community, and life. Yes – we all have certain issues but we all are blessed. Stop worrying and focusing on how stressed you are, but relax and pray and thank God for how blessed you are! Take a big deep breath, start seeing the positives instead of focusing on the negatives; start having fun and just let go and let God! Instead of planning all these great things to do – just jump in and have fun too! I am really writing this for myself today – you see I feel stressed and it is easy to think about sick family, messy house, overweight, unhealthy self, all the things I need to be doing but am too tired; and I need to see the Lord and focus on him and the things I am so very blessed with! ROLL up your sleeves and do something for others. Don’t stress or overthink it – just be kind, smile, listen…sometimes that is all people need.

I pray that you will focus on all that is good in your life and that you will thank God for it all! I pray that you will remember when you are so stressed….you are also so blessed!