Did you all have your picture perfect holiday celebrations for Thanksgiving?

Your decorating challenged every picture perfect plan in all the magazines, every bit of your food was delicious enough to be served at the White House, all of your family members were in perfect health and there were no family squabbles? No one needed to lose any weight so you were all able to eat as much of everything as you wanted. You were the perfect hostess and your guests were the perfect guests.

My guess would be, probably not. Am I just cynical, or could I have had the opportunity to peek into your living rooms and kitchens?

Neither of the above, I’ve just lived long enough to know that the picture perfect holiday doesn’t exist.

Just in my own sphere of friends I have the following:

A sister with a lump that they are sure is cancer — surgery scheduled for December.

A wife with brain cancer was given 2 years to live.

A father who died very unexpectedly 2 days before Thanksgiving — he had cancer but was told he still had a couple of weeks. They had planned to say their “good—byes” at Thanksgiving.

Children who have made decisions that left everyone hurting and in turmoil

Families without jobs or income, savings is quickly disappearing

Family members living too far apart to get together

All this is happening in just in my little corner of the world.

So how is it that we all imagine everyone else having a perfectly marvelous holiday and it is only us in one of the above situations?

This is where the myth of the perfect holiday comes into play. That is the answer — the perfect holiday is a myth — it doesn’t exist.

[Tweet “That is the answer — the perfect holiday is a myth — it doesn’t exist.”]

I feel a bit like Scrooge — telling you there is no Easter bunny and no Santa Claus, but… how many holidays have you allowed to be ruined because they were not your idea of perfect?

We all have an idea of what is perfect. For one it might be just the right people involved, for some picture perfect food, and for some the right gift or just the right “feelings”.

Holidays have a way of making us want fairy tale happenings come to life.[Tweet “Holidays have a way of making us want fairy tale happenings come to life.”]

So what do you do if you find yourself caught in one of the above scenarios or something similar?

First of all, thank the Lord. That’s right, be thankful.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

The Lord knows it is a holiday and he knows your situation, and He still wants you to give thanks.

Second, rejoice — always means just that — always

Philippians l 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, rejoice.”

Third, memorize Scriptures that will help you in your situation.

Psalm 119:2 “Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.”

Forth, humble yourself and ask the Lord to give you the needed grace for whatever situation you are in.

James 4:6 “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”

Last, watch for the victory you will have in the Lord.

1 Corinthians 15:57 “But thanks [be] to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

And now for our link-up

Finding Joy in the Journey,

Phyllis

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Phyllis Sather

Proclaiming God’s Faithfulness at:
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