When The Holidays Find You Empty

She has spared no expense. Real evergreen garland and a towering tree that was delivered, the ornaments of the utmost class and style adorn the branches. White lights and crystal sparkle in the silence of the evening. Gifts under the boughs wrapped by the talented ladies at the department store perfect bows on top of each and everyone. It is a perfect magazine Christmas scene. The lighting is perfect, everything in its place... perfection.

Only it's not. There is no family gathering about the tree. The family chooses to be anywhere but there to avoid the drama. Past hurts like blaring red signs light up every year- things you just can't seem to let go and that Christmas just seems to rub salt into- and oh, how that burns!

See we can spend a fortune on the outside appearance of the holidays. We can buy the most expensive gifts and lights and food. But- what money can't buy is the stuff built the other 364 days of the year. It is those relationships around us those patterns of treating others with love, with respect. It is fighting  for one another- instead of with one another. It is the breaking of destructive patterns- it's getting help when you need it, a third party to help the wrong be made right.

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18

I'm not saying it is all on us. I am not saying that God wants us to be hurt by destructive people. But I do know that we are supposed to act like Jesus and that He was loving and winsome and as for me- I have a whole lot of work to do trying to look more like Him. And the more I am like Him the happier I and everyone else around me will be.

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.