HELPFUL HINTS

040 – DECEMBER 2006

HELPFUL HINTS

I do like the Christmas Season!! It’s a time that can bring out the best in everyone. It can be a special time of merriment, human kindness, and glad tidings of great joy.
You will, in fact, begin to see a lot of folks wear a big grin and say “This is my most favorite time of the year.”
Yet, this special season has the ingredients to produce a vast supply of grumpy waiters, discourteous sales clerks, contemptible shoppers, over tired whining kids, and angry folks trying to adjust to all of that merry stuff.
Therefore - Caution: Contents of this season are pressure sealed. When opened - will include busy schedules, mobbing shoppers, “perfect gift” buying, looming deadlines, out of stock items, a flood of last minute stuff, and the pressure to produce.

Helpful Hints to stay joyful:

1. Enjoy each day and each thing that you need to do. Whatever the day and whatever the task – approach it with a good attitude. Smile at people. Talk positive. And, spread the joy that will have them wonder why you act that way.
Today is my favorite day, God made it in a special way.
I like tomorrow and yesterday, But today is my favorite day.
Ps118:24 “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”

2. Keep things in life’s proper perspective. My photographer friend from Los Angeles was sued one year for not providing a Christmas Portrait in time for Christmas. The truth in the circumstances made the whole thing rather foolish, but in the deposition, the clients continued to emphasize that “but this was the main gift.” How silly! Most of the stuff that can irritate you is trivial at best.
Much ado about nothing - Remember to keep things in life’s proper perspective.

3. Give. Quite simple - Someone is out there that needs your time or your money.
Cut off all attaching strings and give to someone in need … a family, a “cause”, a homeless person. If you listen real well, you will probably know “who” and “what”.
Acts 20:13 “ … and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more
blessed to give than to receive.

4. Keep Jesus 1st. We tend to neglect the spiritual side. Think about it. In the midst of all of the tree decorating, gift shopping and party attending … in the swarm of rude waiters, peculiar Santas, and impatient shoppers – we can forget to delight in God. Don’t let that happen.
In everything that you say or do, breathe God. Thank Him for embracing you to have a relationship with Him. Be glad that you are able to talk with Him and that you are able to sense His presence in your life.
Proverbs 3:6 “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
Merry Christmas!