‘You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.”—Philippians 2:5 (NLT)
I am ashamed to admit this, but as I sat in church last week, my heart was not an attitude of anticipation but one of dread. I had recently returned from a wonderful, relaxing vacation with my husband and I quickly went from calm to anxious. My husband wanted to cook and have friends over this past weekend and rather than be thankful that I have a husband that is an amazing cook and look forward to fellowship with our friends, my first thoughts were, “ugh, I have to shop, get my house decorated and clean.”
At the same time, our neighborhood annual cookie exchange (which I started 11 years ago) has been moved to my house this year. Again, that “stinkin thinkin” crept into my head and I thought, “maybe we won’t have it this year, I hardly know any of the neighbors now.” Wow! That’s a great frame of mind coming from someone who has been writing about having a thankful heart isn’t it? I definitely wasn’t living out Philippians 2:5 with a Christ-like attitude.
Honestly, I am embarrassed with the “stinkin thinkin” I was having. My original post title was, “How to Make Jesus the Reason for the Season.” I had to laugh when I read that after the way I had been acting. Not to mention as much as I looked at my phone and would say a prayer or thank God for something, my heart should have been overflowing with gratitude.
Thankfully, this happened on a Saturday and Sunday at church, I was convicted about how I had been acting. I wrote in my notes, Lord, help me to be the hands and feet of Jesus and be a happy host for You. Being with people is how we share the love of Jesus. This is how we can make Jesus the reason for the season.
We all have the opportunity to take Jesus with us wherever we go every day not just the month of December. Because people aren’t surprised by gift giving this time of the year, I have a bag full of my Knit, Pray, Share gifts in my car that I have been blessing people with this past week. Some are projects from my book and some aren’t but every one of them starts and ends with the color red to symbolize how we are sealed with the blood of Christ. I make sure I have a tag attached to it with a scripture that I have or am memorizing on one side and on the other side I let them know the gift was prayed over for them.
Rather than have that spirit of dread, I now have one of anticipation. I look forward to the opportunities that God will give me the next few weeks to bless others with the gift of kindness as well as hopefully meeting new neighbors and hosting other future get togethers for them.
Who can you speak words of life into this week? Where can you bring God’s presence this Christmas season? It doesn’t take much. Sometimes a kind word or smile is all that clerk needs to get them to the end of their shift. Or maybe, you too can open your home for a neighborhood get together.
Lord,
Help me slow down long enough to see those around me that need the gift of kindness. Fill my heart with gratitude as I take in the sights and sounds of this Christmas season. I thank You that You can use me to be a light to those around me. Whether it is through opening the doors of my home or giving me the right words to say to someone, lead me and use me. It is in the name of Jesus I pray these things. Amen.
December Memory Verse
"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.”—Isaiah 43:18
Please make sure you tweet @KnitPrayShare or share your projects on the Knit, Pray, Share Facebook page or Instagram using the hashtag #KnitPrayShare. Be sure to attach a tag to whatever gift you make.