I had a radio interview this morning with WFCJ fm and was asked how this book might help a person overcome Holiday Stress with all the preparations and everything that has to get done.   While she was talking the first thing that came to mind was the story about Martha and Mary and Jesus.  Martha was all busy getting things ready for dinner and Mary was sitting at Jesus’ feet.  It’s a story about relationship, people gather together more for relationship than they do food.  Now Jesus never said food wasn’t necessary, but he did tell Martha she worried a bit too much and perhaps complained a little too much.  This reminded me of what my mother used to say to me – Don’t fuss with all that food when I come to visit – we can order out or go out to eat or else cook it before I get here and warm it up because I’d rather spend time with you talking than watching cook.  I remember one time she said, Let’s just use paper plates – I’m tired of everyone having to wash dished – let’s just use paper, throw it away and gather together in the living room.  What she was telling us is that relationship is more important than cooking and cleaning.   And when it came to gifts, of course she said – I don’t need anything.  She told us stories about growing up and how her doll was  a stick of wood with a piece of cloth torn from an old worn out dress or apron wrapped around it.  She said they never knew they were poor.  I think they didn’t know because they were rich in relationship.  That’s the same thing my missionary friends who have traveled to other countries tell me.

But back to the book – in the book I have a long section on the Lord’s Prayer and if you look at closely you can see how this prayer can change your whole perspective on the Holiday Season – – – lead us not into temptation – – – give us our daily bread – – – your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.    Heaven, a peaceful place, no rushing around, just people gathered together, no fighting, no jealousy, no greed, no drinking.    In the bible there’s a verse that says ‘Do not get drunk on wine, instead be filled with the Holy Spirit.’  I’m not saying you can’t have anything to drink because the Bible doesn’t say that – the Bible says – don’t get drunk.  I’m sure Jesus knew people who had problems with over imbibing, otherwise why would we have said that to his disciples?

Sales of alcohol are pretty high during the Holidays – and domestic violence is always higher during the holidays – shelters are filled to the brim and jails are overcrowded.  Why?  Because people over spend and over drink.  I used to work in the finance industry – Consolidation Loans abounded after the Holidays as people tried to figure out how to pay for everything they bought on credit.  It was an eye-opener to me.

Finances are a great cause of stress in regular daily life and that stress can really get out of hand during the gift giving seasons . . . Think about what kind of gifts you can give that will help create relationships, think about what kind of gifts you can give that will honor the Lord while you honor the other people in your life.  I have a friend who taught me that it’s fun to give gifts to charitable organizations in a friends name and then send them a card or note telling them that’s what you did.

I’m glad I had this conversation with her this morning because I have to do some thinking right along with you.

What kind of gifts will we all be giving this year and to whom?  There are so many good gifts that could honor the Lord and other people . . . .