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If Tired Has Taken Over This Christmas

in Being a Woman· Christmas· Faith in Action· Holidays· Home· Hope

lightandchristmastrees

Yesterday afternoon, I drove down the stretch of highway to the Air Force Academy, on my way to the base commissary. I needed to get some final Christmas groceries, including some appetizer fixings for Christmas day as well as ingredients for sugar cookies.

As I approached the gate guard at the base entrance, I slowed down and turned down the radio knob. After rolling down the window, I smiled and handed him my military ID. He took it, looked up and said, “Nice smile!”

Which, of course, made me smile bigger.

I told him thanks and gave him an extra-exhuberant Merry Christmas! before winding my way up the mountain toward the commissary.

It was such a small thing, I know. But as I walked into the busy store with 394 other shoppers, I had a bounce to my step that hadn’t been there earlier in the day. It was a kind word that brought me Christmas cheer. At a time when I have felt a little outside all the peace and joy, his comment brought me in.

Here’s the truth: if you lived with me for the past year, you would have heard me say one thing over and over:

I’m tired.

Really, I’ve been haggard with a heaping side of weary.

2016 began with me hammering away on marketing projects for Girl Meets Change. Then we did the work of selling our own home before moving into our 1970’s fixer upper in the woods as it underwent renovations. This has been awesome, but draining too. My tired-ness only worsened as the election neared and social media turned into Wild Kingdom. And to top everything off, I managed to dislocate and fracture my elbow a few days before Thanksgiving. Other things went on behind the scenes too, not the least of which is raising 3 teens.

Tired can take over, and in the process do its best to snatch my Christmas joy.

For whatever reason, maybe this Christmas season finds you weary as well. If so, know I totally get it. Your own difficult personal realities zap your energy and joy. And if you watch the news for any length of time, you’ll see a whole lot of things that break your heart.

I thought about all this the other day as my daughter and I made Ree’s cinnamon rolls, a regular tradition of ours. As we rolled up the dough and cut into the sugary, buttery swirls, I heard this message in my heart:

Feeling on the outside of holiday cheer? Then bring someone else on the inside of encouragement.

snowandevergreens

It occurred to me this is what the gate guard did for me. He brought me into an uplifted mood through a few simple, kind words. And so in this season, weary though I may be, can I find someone and in my own way let them know they are in?

In my heart through prayer.

In my life, enriching it.

Making needed contributions in this world.

It can be the simplest thing, like telling the girl in line ahead of me at Target I like her boots or welcoming a friend into my home for dinner.

Maybe it looks like my kids and I leaving encouraging texts to friends and family or cinnamon rolls in the hands of our neighbors.

Maybe it looks like sending this everyday blessing into my friend’s inbox or giving from my more than enough to help a family who doesn’t have nearly enough.

Every advent, we celebrate the best present: Christ’s presence. How might I be that presence for another? Because Christ in us can do one little thing to help hold another, to help them be in.

You may well be thinking Listen, Kristen, I’m already tired. I don’t have it in me to give another cotton pickin’ thing. I understand, really I do. And it’s my prayer someone deeply encourages your own tired heart this season. It’s my prayer you take time to simply sit in the presence of Christ and let Him encourage you as no one else can. But your own encouragement is always multiplied and never divided, no matter its size or shape. In God’s economy, it always comes back to you. I get holiday joy by giving it, just as Christ came to give.

Just as Christ came to redeem everything that is lost.

And the weary world rejoices.

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Filed Under: Being a Woman, Christmas, Faith in Action, Holidays, Home, Hope

« When to Listen and When to Not
For You This Christmas »

Comments

  1. Jennifer says

    December 23, 2016 at 1:37 pm

    You have no idea how much my weary heart needed this today.

    Then again…maybe you did.

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      December 23, 2016 at 2:25 pm

      Mine too, Jennifer. Merry Christmas dear one. xo

      Reply
  2. Maia Hadley says

    December 23, 2016 at 7:15 pm

    Dear Kristen
    Wishing you and your family a wonderful, joyful Christmas. Thankyou for drawing us all in and encouraging us in Christ as you do. You are dearly valued sister in Christ. Love Maia, Sydney Australia

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      December 24, 2016 at 10:07 am

      Thanks for your kind words, Maia. A very Merry Christmas to you and yours!

      Reply
  3. Irene Talaasen says

    December 23, 2016 at 8:56 pm

    Yes, even in tiredness we can uplift another. You told the story well!!
    Thank you! Bless and then let the Lord do the work!

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      December 24, 2016 at 10:07 am

      “Even in tiredness we can uplift another.” ~ Exactly. Thank you for this, Irene. Merry Christmas!

      Reply
  4. Beth Williams says

    December 23, 2016 at 9:34 pm

    Kristen,

    May God give you some much needed rest. I agree that we need to look outside ourselves to get into the spirit. I chose two angel tree children, made CDs for a friend, made bread for a co-worker. It warms my heart to do things for others. Yesterday 12/22/16 I helped some at assisted living Christmas party get food to their tables.

    Blessings 🙂

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      December 24, 2016 at 10:08 am

      Love you and your heart, Beth. Merry Christmas sweet lady!

      Reply
  5. Braveheart says

    December 27, 2016 at 8:46 pm

    Hello Kristen,

    Merry Christmas belated! I bought your book last 2015 and it’s full of highligted pages now. It kept me company while I was in the hospital waiting for the nurse to find the right vein so that they can wheel me in and I can get my Hickman catheter needed for my upcoming bone marrow transplant. This was last January. I had a successful bone marrow transplant last January 29. I am on the mend. Some days I have aches here and there, but I am home and not having chemo, I can walk my dog and ride my bike and cook for my husband. And I celebrated another CHRISTMAS!!!My cup is full. God carried me every single bloodwork, subcutaneous shots and chemo IV, lots and lots of tests. You get the picture. Thank you for writing and sharing what’s in your heart.
    love,
    Brave Heart

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      January 5, 2017 at 9:25 pm

      Braveheart, thank YOU for writing and sharing part of your story here. I am humbled and honored that God used Girl Meets Change to provide comfort and encouragement to you as you endured such an ordeal. And I’m thrilled you were able to celebrate this Christmas on the other side of that! Much love and Happy New Year!

      Reply
  6. Hope Jinks says

    December 27, 2016 at 11:17 pm

    Ree’s Christmas sweet rolls are to die for!

    Reply

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