Tag Archives: James

The Reason for the Season

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This time of year seems to be the busiest. Travel plans, gift buying, keeping track of which family is where. We have crammed so much into such a short amount of time that we can’t truly enjoy it. It has also caused us to forget the true meaning of this holiday. Once Halloween is over people instantly get into Christmas mode. Making lists for themselves and lists for buying to give to other people. We can’t wait for those Christmas bonuses and Christmas club checks to hit the bank. We just keep going, going, going, and more going. Going to see family. Going to buy presents. Going to buy decorations. Going to buy wrapping paper. Going out to eat. Going to parties.

For those of us where money is really tight, Christmas is stressful. All of a sudden you have to buy as many cool toys as possible for your kids. The newest outfit for your parents or sibling. Our focus has been taken off of the the reason for the season. The real reason for the season. I too am guilt of forgetting the important part of this season.

Christmas wasn’t just created by marketing companies to bring in buckets of revenue. They just piggy backed for the profits. Christmas is for celebrating the birth of Jesus; the true ultimate gift. God gifted us with the birth of Jesus so that he could die for our sins to be wiped away. For our sins to be forgiven. The reason we gift things to each other is to symbolize the gifts given by the wisemen. Over the years the gift giving has become something completely different.

Don’t let this time of year become too much of a stresser. Just relax and enjoy the time spent with family and friends. Don’t worry about getting the “perfect” gift. Anything given in love is enough for those that love you too.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” –James 1:17

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” –Isaiah 9:6

Frustration to Anger

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Single motherhood is full of frustrations. Whether potty training, dealing with attitudes as a teen (or toddler!!) or just being a little overworked and exhausted, frustration is just right around the corner. It’s normal. One thing to remember is to not let your frustration boil over into anger. Anger is ugly and it makes you ugly. So, remember that sometimes you need to take a step back and breath. While you’re breathing, say a little prayer. Once you let the frustration boil over you start to lash out. It tends to be a little too easy to lash out at your kids too. They are there, in your face, all the time. I can’t change clothes with privacy anymore. My little one likes to stand just outside the door, which if I close the door he knocks on it and asks if I’m done, until I’m done. With our little mini-selves in our face all the time, they tend to get the brunt of our crankiness.

Remember, anger isn’t the answer. It can come up on you like bad seafood, but you just have to chew it back! Don’t let it spill over into other people’s, especially your little’s, lives. Don’t cause them frustration and anger just because things aren’t going the exact way you wanted. Just take a minute and ask for peace sister.

19 “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” — James 1:19-20