Is the Grinch Still Alive in You?

“Thank you so much.”

My words hung frozen in the air as the store employee blatantly ignored my parting words.

“Hmmm,” I wondered. “Is she hard of hearing, or is her silence toward me an intentional expression of passive-aggressive behavior?”

Her beautifully coiffured hair and meticulously accessorized outfit could not conceal the fact that the woman behind the register felt strong displeasure regarding our recently completed transaction. Ouch. The seasonal Christmas lyrics and the costly, glittering decorations did little to mask the unsavory ambiance.

This experience walked away with me and gave pause for my own self-evaluation:

Am I a Grinch or am I a Blessing?

Sadly, in these seasonal days of December, you and I find ourselves in the position of the lady in the shop, and we are tempted to allow the Grinch to get the upper hand in our holiday demeanor. Being a Christ-follower does not make us immune to inappropriate behavior. And, like the music and decorations in the boutique, we rely on the artificial tinsel to cover up frustration and pressure.

But The Baby in the Manger offers a better way for Christmas 2021—a better way than being a Grinch; He offers us the opportunity to be His Blessing. Consider the difference between the two.

Characteristics of a Christmas Grinch:

Grumbling out loud

Muttering under one’s breath

Vocalizing extended sighs

Rolling glaring eyes

Staging aloofness

Viewing oneself as a martyr in selflessly preparing Christmas for everyone else

Manufacturing passive-aggressive silence

Complaining about crowded parking lots, slow service, long lines, and traffic jams

Jumping on one’s phone to communicate indifference

Honking the horn unnecessarily (guilty as charged)

Characteristics of a Christmas Blessing:

Intentionally extending a blessing into a blessing-starved vacuum: Merry Christmas, in Jesus’ Name.

Intentionally giving a gift card to an unsuspecting worker: You work so hard; thank you. This coffee is on me.

Intentionally expressing gratitude to anyone we encounter: Thank you; thank you so much.

Intentionally speaking affirmation: You have done a great job; is your supervisor nearby so that I can give you due credit?

Intentionally seeking to serve rather than be served: Please go ahead of me; you have your hands full with that little one.

Intentionally recognizing that the secret is found—not in ourselves—but rather in the power of the Holy Spirit—and knowing that when we yield to Him—we become “the pleasing aroma of Christ” (2 Corinthians 2:15). Hallelujah!

From Valley of Vision: “We thank Thee for thy unspeakable gift . . . May every place and company we are in be benefited by us.”

Living With Eternal Intentionality®

Living with eternal intentionality in the everyday here and now

“Jesus, I want to be a Blessing throughout this Christmas season. Please control and empower me by Your indwelling Holy Spirit to bring love and joy to each individual You and I encounter. I am convinced that apart from You, I can do nothing. I need and depend on the supernatural resources only You provide. I pray this today; I will pray this tomorrow. Thank you so much for hearing and answering!”

Teenage Tips and Advice for Parents (By a Teenager)

Over the Thanksgiving holidays—for six nights—our home nestled four generations of family. Larry and I camped out in the basement to make sure all our loved ones slept in comfortable beds. Can you imagine the laughter and the laundry, not to mention the countless dashes to the grocery for milk and eggs? Truly, for the rest of our lives, we will savor the sweetness of our 2021 togetherness.

Allow me to share with you a fascinating conversation that emerged from the week.

One sunny afternoon amidst the mayhem, I took the opportunity to converse with my recently christened teenage granddaughter. While she lounged comfortably on the love seat in her newly acquired Christmas flannel pajamas, I leaned over the back of the sofa and posed my question.

“What advice do you have for parents?”

This is what she said:

1.     Don’t EMBARRASS us.

2.     We like our space, but you may have to intervene at times.

3.     MOOD SWINGS. Be aware of the mood swings.

4.     We. Need. Social. Lives.

5.     Sometimes we are perfectionists—actually, a lot. 

6.     We like electronics but limit our usage. OR ELSE. 

7.     Don’t allow us to procrastinate.

8.     There are times we love school, and there are times we hate it.

9.     Don’t be overdramatic with us.

10.  Sometimes we think we are smarter than our superiors. Trust me—we aren’t.

Living With Eternal Intentionality®

Which of these tips do you find most thought-provoking? Why?

When did you last have a conversation with a teenager?

How do you see the art of listening playing a much-needed role in our interaction with teenagers?

 A paraphrase of the words from James 1:19 just keep circling in my head: “Be quick to hear, slow to speak . . . "

Thank you, my beloved Granddaughter; your advice and tips bear thoughtful consideration.

A Busy Person's Thanksgiving Devotional

Dear Loving Father,

My heart wants to be thankful, yet my head is in a hurry.

I long to worship while I work, but more than anything I need to worship before I work.

As my plans escalate and as my minutes evaporate—with intentionality—I press the pause button to focus on You.

For these moments and in this space, I want to stop and savor sweet fellowship with You, my King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Please:

Sift my circumstances of today through the timeless truths in Your Word.

Strengthen me by your Spirit to take the high road in every conversation.

Enable me to flex beyond belief to be an encouragement to those around me.

Equip me to meet the needs of others because you have so abundantly met mine.

Enlarge the borders of my heart to understand how much I have for which to be thankful.

I am thankful because ________________________________________.

I am thankful although ________________________________________.

I am thankful even though _____________________________________.

I am thankful even when ______________________________________.

I am thankful even if _________________________________________.

I am thankful despite the fact ___________________________________.

I am thankful afresh since ______________________________________.

And, now, before I rush away, I want to say to You and declare with all my heart:

“Bless the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life for the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s” (Psalm 103: 1-5).

Amen and AMEN.