The other day co-worker was telling me that she wanted everything perfect for Christmas. She wanted the perfect tree, meal, presents and everyone happy. I told her that it would be nice if life could be like that, but it is an unrealistic view for troubles, death, illness, accidents knows no holiday.
“Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” Proverbs 27:1
“Go to ye now, ye that say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.” James 4:13-15
The ideal life would be not to have troubles, but until we reach heaven, we face a myriad of hills and valleys, but when faithful to Him, there is nothing that can befall His children that He is not with us and comforting us in all of our trials here on this earth. He loves His children, and cares about everything that happens to us, good or bad.
“Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.” Job 14:1
“Casting all your care upon Him for He careth for you.” I Peter 5:7
. . . . then for some, animosities build up over the year or years and cause dissension within a person’s family, and makes for a not so enjoyable family get together. Most families have their problems. We all have likes and dislikes, and then there are those within a family, that it wouldn’t matter what you did, they would not be happy. I have known family situations like that. Jealousies, envy and favorites all enter into the mix, and because the families meet in the Christmas or Thanksgiving season, the gathering at times will send some home early with hurt feelings and words that should not have been said, and unless mended will increase animosity.
“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Put away form the a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids loo straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet and let all thy ways be established.”
Proverbs 4:23-26
“And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.”
Mark 12:30-31
When Christian families meet, let us not check our Christianity at the door. Be kind, helpful, encouraging others and grateful that all may gather together and enjoy one another’s company. Make it a pleasant time, and for those that are not Christians within ones family, you may win them to Christ by your example before them.
“Hearts are apt to open for you, if you use the priceless key of courtesy. It fits almost every locked heart. Like responds to like. Use a courteous approach and you will get a courteous reception – with few exceptions. You don’t crash hearts – they are opened from within. And they open better if the hinges are lubricated with the oil of graciousness. It prevents friction. It is a smoothness that finds easygoingness everywhere. Politeness is so necessary to better relations that it should be a part of every person’s religion. It is religion? For it is an expression of the Golden Rule.”
~ Leroy Brownlow
Eileen Light