This picture is of my husband Tim, when we were in Target, looking at Christmas Sweaters. He did this so I could see the approxomite size, as I was looking at a sweater for a friend. He does love Christmas, but he doesn’t like the stress that often accompanies this famous holiday. Who does?
I didn’t realize for a long time, I was the one who was making things stressful for him. I would talk about all the stuff I had to do, acting like it was one big obligation after the other. I worried about not having enough money for gifts, too. One time he sold a gun and gave me the money to buy my kids presents.
Other years, (to my almost shame) we went into debt over it. I don’t like to admit I have crossed the line from “enjoying Christmas” to being addicted to doing all the things I THINK I must do (at Christmas time).
There is one little scripture I want to mention: 2 Corn 9:7 “God loves a Cheerful giver”
There is no time of year like Christmas, to bring out the best and worst in people. If we do things grudgingly or out of compulsion, God may not be as pleased as we think. “OH WOE” I used to cry out- “I have to do this and I have to do that…….” And do I like to admit this to you? NO I do not!
Not every man is grumpy because of their wives, but you can bet if they lost their little boy wonder about it all, it was probably due to grave disappointment(s) at some time in their lives. This particular year, Tim started getting his JOY back over the Holiday.
Christmas is one time of year we should not be under obligations, trying to hold our noses right, or trying to follow some list of rules of “How Christmas ought to be.” BUT we do it to ourselves if we insist on trying to make everyone happy (starting with that Santa Claus gift we HAVE To get for the children).
I had a guy tell me recently, “Don’t tell anyone I said this but I do love Christmas, the trees, the lights……” Some men don’t think it’s manly to get goo goo about Christmas time. Others dread the commercialism, and how they might fail people if they don’t get the right gift, or have enough money to get the right thing. For them it feels like a big test or final exam at school, and all they feel is the potential failure looming on the horizon!
How can we make Christmas better for our men (and loved ones?). We can set them free from Obligations! “YOU DON”T HAVE TO GET ME ANYTHING” and I will not pout! If you get me anything at all I will smile- and be grateful you thought of me!
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Yes my darlings, “Say it and mean it.” Christmas is not about what we get, it’s about what we give. Love and freedom from the chains of obligation are the best things we would ever give a person. How about “I LOVE YOU!” MERRY CHRISTMAS!! A cheerful smile and merry Heart is something we can all afford.
with Love!
Laura Grace
gracetogrowdaily 