Just a word of encouragement for those who holiday times are not as fun as they could be.   It can be challenging to be around people that are not as kind and put a damper on Holiday gatherings.  Maybe they unfairly judge your looks and mutter unkind words that they think you can’t hear.  Or they judge your income and where you live based on their own “perfect” standards.  Being around those kind of people does give us a unique opportunity.   An opportunity to shine.

In light of eternity those times around unpleasant people are just a mere moment.   Something we won’t remember as the years go by.   We have a choice.   We can dread the holidays and gatherings or we can shine through them.   Yeah people can be rude and behave badly.  That’s how people who don’t understand how much God loves them act.  If they knew how much God loved them they wouldn’t act that way.   Instead they would be more interested in sharing God’s love with everyone they meet especially family during special occasions.

Here’s where you come in.   Why can’t you start your own Holiday tradition?  You’re a believer so why don’t you show God’s love to everyone? Instead of reacting to bad behavior from others why not choose to respond with God’s Love instead? You can’t control how others will behave and they may never understand or even care how their words and actions hurt others.   (I’m thinking of the character “Bones”  she has no earthly clue how her words are inappropriate and could hurt others)   There really are people out in the real world like that, extremely talented in certain areas and basically inept in social settings.

The choice is yours.  You can participate in the same ole same ole and leave the gatherings wishing you never went and dreading how many more years of unpleasant gatherings there will be.  Or maybe hoping you get sick so you don’t have to go.    Whatever negative thoughts  you experience before getting around unpleasant people, does affect your reactions.  You can continue to do the same thing getting the same results or you can do something different.

This time plan to shine. How would a person who wants to show God’s love respond to an unpleasant situation?   Now I’m not talking about cornering people and trying to “get them saved, so they’ll quit acting like heathens.”  I’m just talking about be gracious and kind in your responses.  How would your Heavenly Daddy want you to respond.  What would make Him proud?  Wouldn’t it be nice to leave an uncomfortable situation with a smile on your face knowing that you made your “Daddy” happy and was a great witness for Him.   I’m not saying people will change or treat you better but at least you’ll feel better about your responses. Know this, nothing can separate you from the Love of the Father.

 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:37-39 KJV)

Be a shining example of Christ’s love this holiday season. Look forward to being a real witness for him, not just in words but by filling the room with His love rather than your hurt.  Ask Him to bless you with HIS love to share with those that are unkind and have HIM flood your heart with how HE sees them. Then love on them with the Love God gives you.

Have a Great Thanks and Giving day.

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