Tuesday, December 06, 2011

ARE YOU SHOWING YOUR "CHRISTMAS SPIRIT"?

Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. (Proverbs 3:27 KJV).

I read with sadness of the man who died in the Target store on Black Friday of a major heart problem while others passed by seemingly intent on finding the desired bargain they were seeking. Isn't it ironic that their minds were so set on buying a Christmas gift that seemingly they didn't have time to respond to a need of a stranger in need?

I have noticed people seem to be swishing by me very quickly, and they seem to have cut me off without even noticing what they have done. People are very stressed and focused on their own needs without even being aware of others in their path. I feel as though they had lost the Christmas Spirit.

People speak of the Christmas Spirit. Some of us may have it all during the year, but others of us don't feel it even at the Christmas season. Perhaps a traumatic event caused us to lose the "Spirit." Perhaps a loved one died or a spouse left us with the cares of the world on our shoulders. Maybe we are hungry or just plain tired, or we just need someone to be a sounding board. If we have that wonderful feeling, we need to find those who don't have the "spirit" this year and ask ourselves how we can help. Perhaps all a discouraged friend needs is an encouraging word. We can all do that. Maybe our friend needs some Christmas music, some cookies, some groceries, or someone to show concern and pray with them. See if you can find out their heart's desire and let them know you are praying for such an event to happen.

I have been going through a little book I picked up at a used book sale. The cover states "432 things to do for yourself and others that just might make this the best Christmas ever."

Dear Jesus, please open my eyes to see the needs of others. Help me turn to You to supply my needs so that I can be available to meet others' needs, Please help me have the Christmas Spirit all year through. Amen.

Marilyn Willett Heavilin

Marilyn is a wife and mother, author, and international conference and retreat speaker. She and her husband Glen serve as Counselors-in-Residence at America's KESWICK during the summer months.


DIGGING DEEPER
James 5:13-15
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

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