Gratitude for Trials

I was doing so well with the Christmas Spirit until Sunday. Then the Bah Humbug set in.  I've been working hard to overcome it before Christmas gets here.  I've enjoyed feeling the spirit of the season this year.  I've enjoyed trying to convey a more joyful spirit of Christmas to my children.  

I've been trying to figure out why I've been feeling do down and distracted and as I was reading the scriptures this morning, this is what I found.

1 Peter 1:6-7

6Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a ^aseason, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold ^btemptations:

 7That the ^atrial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the ^bappearing of Jesus Christ:

So, from this I learned a couple of things:

1.  Manifold temptations--upon further reflection I've learned that my body really is weak. It wants to eat the fun foods of the season.  It doesn't want to get up and exercise.  Sleep hasn't been easy lately either.  My mind isn't remembering very well.  I'm easily overwhelmed and riled up to anger.  I have such a desire to serve other people but I'm not organized enough to get it all done.  I could go on and on and on and on....really. 

I'll share something personal.  I've been struggling in spirit as well.  No wonderful the Bah Humbug has made room in my heart.  I haven't been keeping my spirit strong...I've been trying, but the combo of the weak body and weak spirit let in the Bah Humbug.  

2.  Trial of Faith--my trial is something that I've manufactured this time.  I can honestly say that I am truly grateful for many, many things.  My whole family is healthy and has been healthy for a long time.  Sam's business is doing very well.  We're able to be generous in our donations to others.  I could go on and on.....really.  And I try to during my prayers.

I think I'm placing too much importance on some things that really aren't that important and that no one expects me to do.  It's all pressure that I've been putting on myself.  That's not so smart, is it?

I don't think this particular Trial is as being tried by fire.  I've had some of those too.  But, I will say that I'm thankful for this Trial.  It is more precious than gold to me.  It's making me dig a little deeper into my faith and beliefs.  This is the reason why I am posting on this blog. 

It's a different type of grateful post.  I'm still working on getting the spirit of the season back into my heart.

I do know that I need to have all my Christmas shopping done before the beginning of December.  I had such a nice time with the kids in the beginning of the month, doing some Christmas activities with them.  When I'm out of control, I can't bring myself to be festive.  I love the joy and peace I feel when I'm actively participating with my children.  This observation needs to be applied throughout the year.

It's all good.  Thank you for the time you took to read my post.  I hope it's been helpful.  They're just some of my reflections and ramblings.  

Merry Christmas!!

Advent

Warning: The beginning of this post is just slightly negative, but it'll get better.

To be honest, I'm not the biggest fan of Christmas. I figured out why last year, but it's a personal family reason and I wish not to divulge. Now that I know the reason, I'm out to fix it so that my kids don't repeat my Grinchy feelings for the holiday.

I'm grateful for a good God that allows us to figure things out. Why we do the things we do, etc. I'm thankful that He believes in us to fix them with His help. That's my hope this Christmas season and for future Christmases.

So, my husband and I had a little chat with my kids about "stuff", getting and receiving. We talked to them about the holiday and it's purpose. (I'm still convincing myself on some of it as I fix my attitude.) While talking with the kids, I realized that I want the month to be a focus on service and charity.

I had a friend, Jolene, who died too early as far as I'm concerned. She was always happy. Even when she wasn't happy she was able to bring with her a spirit of joy into a room. I love her dearly and miss her tremendously. But she left me with a desire to be more like her.

A friend of mine said that, "Jolene's mission in life was to fling joy." I've NEVER forgotten that. I am teaching my children that flinging joy is serving others. Just lifting their eyes a little higher, making their journey just a little brighter. It's not fixing their lives or controlling them. We're all here on earth to make the journey a bit more joyful for the next person. Whether family, friend or stranger.

So, today....the kids and I talked about doors. Physical doors as well as figurative doors. Especially doors that open to the love of Christ. Allowing Him in. That is what this season really is. Doing the things that He would do to fling joy to others.

The kids are working together as roommates to decorate their bedroom doors. This is such a good thing. I can not express the joy I am feeling right now. My boys are planning things out and talking to each. Creating a masterpiece, quite frankly. Usually they fight and blame each other. Today they are creating together.

The girls are learning to compromise. Lucy is a bit more literal and by-the-book (like her mother). Leah is more creative and out-of-the-box in her thinking. They're having to work together to bring a create something they both love using their diversity. It's working. They're talking and creating.

What a blessing I am experiencing today! I put on some Christmas music in the background as mood music. I am feeling the Spirit of Christmas today. My house is far from clean and tidy. We're all a bit hungry and the laundry isn't done, the baby is tired and needs to go to bed....but....we're enjoying our time together working on a project that represents the door to our hearts and the Master that wishes us to open that door to Him that He may "sup with us."

Lucy just came upstairs and asked if they could do this every year and make it a tradition. Hmmm....I'm thinking thinking their feeling the Spirit of Christmas too.