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Happy Holidays....ho ho ho....I want this and this and this....credit card bills and going in debt! I'll give you a nickel if you can tell me what I'm describing....yes! thats right! THIS OVER-COMMERCIALIZED EARTH! Tell him what he's won, Jack! Seriously, I can't remember the last time I read the words "merry CHRISTmas" anywhere. Its not politically correct to use anything declaring the name of the reason this whole thing exists! I sometimes want to beat a manger over people's heads so they'll get the point...or at least it'll give them a nice bruise and something to thing about...
As much of an outrage I find this, I've become quite convicted all at the same time. Working retail has taken its toll on me. Now mind you, I'm not blaming my job, but its sure not helping my attitude. Tonight, 9:40pm rolls around and I find myself angry at customers as they walk into American Eagle, our gate halfway shut, our music turned off, and the OBVIOUSNESS that we are CLOSED (we closed at 9). They don't care one bit. They take their time shopping....we politely remind them that we have to shut our computers down very shortly, yet they continue to piddle around with handfuls of clothes. I'm thinking all of these nasty thoughts while I'm trying to see around the MASSIVE heap of hooded sweatshirts on a table that looks more like a dirty pile of laundry than anything. That didn't help my mood any.
What's wrong with us? Whats wrong with ME?! Sure, I work 60+ hours a week....sure, I don't have a day off until Christmas Day and even then I'll have to cook and clean and entertain all day....sure, I'm flat out pooped...but where do those excuses get me. At least I'm not laying in a manger in the middle of the night, in straw, covered just in blankets, in the freezing cold! What do I have to complain about. I have the gift of an eternity with my savior, so what do these trivial days on earth matter to me? I should use this time to show others that although my life is chaotic, I'm still joyful over the gift that God gave us 2000 years ago!
So I encourage you, take heart in knowing that God has blessed us FAR beyond what we ever could possibly deserve! The biggest gift of all isn't anything we can buy with our money....its what we've already been given: a savior.
"There were some shepherds living in the same part of the country, keeping guard throughout the night over their flocks in the open fields. Suddenly an angel of the Lord stood by their side, the splendour of the Lord blazed around them, and they were terror-stricken. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid! Listen, I bring you glorious news of great joy which is for all the people. This very day, in David's town, a Saviour has been born for you. He is Christ, the Lord. Let this prove it to you: you will find a baby, wrapped up and lying in a manger."
And in a flash there appeared with the angel a vast host of the armies of Heaven, praising God, saying, "Glory to God in the highest Heaven! Peace upon earth among men of goodwill!"
-Taken from Luke, chapter 2
As much of an outrage I find this, I've become quite convicted all at the same time. Working retail has taken its toll on me. Now mind you, I'm not blaming my job, but its sure not helping my attitude. Tonight, 9:40pm rolls around and I find myself angry at customers as they walk into American Eagle, our gate halfway shut, our music turned off, and the OBVIOUSNESS that we are CLOSED (we closed at 9). They don't care one bit. They take their time shopping....we politely remind them that we have to shut our computers down very shortly, yet they continue to piddle around with handfuls of clothes. I'm thinking all of these nasty thoughts while I'm trying to see around the MASSIVE heap of hooded sweatshirts on a table that looks more like a dirty pile of laundry than anything. That didn't help my mood any.
What's wrong with us? Whats wrong with ME?! Sure, I work 60+ hours a week....sure, I don't have a day off until Christmas Day and even then I'll have to cook and clean and entertain all day....sure, I'm flat out pooped...but where do those excuses get me. At least I'm not laying in a manger in the middle of the night, in straw, covered just in blankets, in the freezing cold! What do I have to complain about. I have the gift of an eternity with my savior, so what do these trivial days on earth matter to me? I should use this time to show others that although my life is chaotic, I'm still joyful over the gift that God gave us 2000 years ago!
So I encourage you, take heart in knowing that God has blessed us FAR beyond what we ever could possibly deserve! The biggest gift of all isn't anything we can buy with our money....its what we've already been given: a savior.
"There were some shepherds living in the same part of the country, keeping guard throughout the night over their flocks in the open fields. Suddenly an angel of the Lord stood by their side, the splendour of the Lord blazed around them, and they were terror-stricken. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid! Listen, I bring you glorious news of great joy which is for all the people. This very day, in David's town, a Saviour has been born for you. He is Christ, the Lord. Let this prove it to you: you will find a baby, wrapped up and lying in a manger."
And in a flash there appeared with the angel a vast host of the armies of Heaven, praising God, saying, "Glory to God in the highest Heaven! Peace upon earth among men of goodwill!"
-Taken from Luke, chapter 2
posted by Stephanie at 11:08 PM
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