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Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Holiday Family Fun ~ and Other Oxymorons...

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If you have a 'Currier and Ives' holiday planned, just skip this post, it won't make any sense to you.


But for many, holiday celebrations are laced with these types of conversation:

"So (awkward pause) you're still single..."

"Wow, somebody's been eating good this year...."

"Do you like your hair like that?"

"Your sister's kids are all getting full rides to Harvard!"

"What do you mean you won't be here for Thanksgiving AND Christmas Day?"


Just in case you ever stress over family get togethers, I want to remind you of a few things...

1. Your number one priority is your spouse. Don't let family members get your focus off what God ordains for the most important relationship on earth.


Genesis 2:24
This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.
NLT


2. Let peace rule in your heart, not bitterness. Offer grace to your family, even if it's not offered back. In other words, make the choice before you leave that you won't judge their decisions. We all reap what we sow, you don't have to convince anyone of that...it will happen. But we are called to display God's love even to those making really bad decisions. Only offer opinions when asked. Unsolicited advice is seldom heard.

And on the other hand, don't let "assumed" or spoken criticism set you back...choose to forgive...bitterness makes your butt look big and none of us want that.

Hebrews 12:14-16
Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.
NIV

3. Shine! And remember, you don't need to be preachy to shine, in fact...there's nothing shiny about preachy.



Matthew 5:15-16
Don't hide your light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine for all. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
NLT

4. As cliche' as it sounds...don't forget the reason we gather this week. To be thankful.



1 Thess 5:17-18
No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
NLT

Decide today not to let "holiday family fun" be an oxymoron this Thanksgiving. Be good for goodness sake and whatever you do, don't get bitter!

19 comments:

Kela said...

Such a good one!!! Thankfully our families are really kind to each other. Sarcasm, belittlement and down-right ugliness is not us. One thing that I have struggled with is being thrown out of my routine when family is at my home. I LIKE spending time with my husband whenever I can and that's usually in the evening time. With family here, I still choose to be around my husband but at the same time I feel that I should be spending that time with family too.
I know....We'll play games!! Then all of us will be together at the same time. Thanks for this opportunity to "think out loud". LOL I came up with my own solution. :)

Have a wonderfully blessed and peaceful Thanksgiving!

Gypsy Heart said...

Excellent! Thanks to you for sharing.

Brightest blessings and a Happy Thanksgiving to you and those you love.

Lori said...

I REALLY needed to read this today. Thank you!

Patricia said...

Sue!!!! Love the post! The 'bitterness makes your butt look big' quote is my new motto!!!!! Thanks, girl, for being a faithful witness and spreading the Good Word!

Love the Decor! said...

Love this!! Thanks for the reminder. I am trying to view everyone and each situation through the lens(filter) of the cross!

TammieFay said...

Good word sweet sister. Thanks for the admonition! Have a great holiday!

Suzanne said...

My butt doesn't need any help to look big!!! ;)
I won't have to deal with any of this at Thanksgiving---it will all happen at Christmas! Sad, so sad.
It will be just our little family together this year. Sounds peaceful. I'm looking forward to it. Happy Thanksgiving!

Anonymous said...

I am so needing to read this today. For some reason the whole thought of the holiday at my in-laws this year just makes me depressed.

Although we have been married for 25 years, due to estrangment between my husband's mother and father, we have only known this part (his father's) of the family for a few years. My husband has spent quite a bit of time with them, but I've only met them maybe a half a dozen time over the last year and a half. They are nice people, but it's like spending the holidays with strangers. So not what I want to be doing, but it's his family and it thrills him to be with them for the holidays.

The saving grace is that there will be too many for everyone to stay there, so we get to stay at motel instead of in the house with them. I am really thankful for that--at least I have a place I can retreat to when I need it.

~*Michelle*~ said...

This was a blessing to read.....it contained the perfect amount of humor and a whole lotta TRUTH!

Happy Thanksgiving!

He & Me + 3 said...

I love this post...thanks for keeping it real. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving

happyhome said...

Great reminders Sue...yes, bitterness does make your butt look big! Love it! I will remember to shine this Thanksgiving.

Praise and Coffee said...

Thanks everyone!!

Just say NO to bitterness! :)

Anonymous- thank God for hotels!!! I pray you have a really nice Thanksgiving and that you sense the Lord with you the whole time.

Karen said...

This list was so very good!

Pia said...

happy thanksgiving, sue!!!

Unknown said...

We stopped spending the holidays with my family years ago. And it's been a blessing ever since.

Happy Thanksgiving!

A Stone Gatherer said...

If you only knew how much I need to remember all those things. Not for Thanksgiving but Christmas. I am so not looking forward to seeing my family! I think I may have to print these and memorize them! Thanks for the reminder Sue. I really want to shine and be gracious!

Cristi said...

That was cute. And good advice. :)

Nikole Hahn said...

So true on all counts. Although, I have to say, my Thanksgiving this year was the best. My husband started a football game and I got to spend quality time with my young niece one-on-one.

sanjeet said...

I LIKE spending time with my husband whenever I can and that's usually in the evening time.

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