Iron

I’ve been somewhat of a Grinch /Scrooge the past few years in regards to Christmas. Partly as a result of being so annoyed at the over-commercializing, devoid of the real meaning that it brings, the other part I’m still processing the reason for.
Partly as a result of being so annoyed at the over-commercializing, devoid of the real meaning that it brings, the other part I’m still processing the reason for.
Anyway, a few weekends ago, I had a wonderful time celebrating the birthday of one of my coworkers and here’s how……..SHE hosted a party for HERSELF in which SHE cooked the food and hosted for all of her friends that SHE invited to come! And coincidentally, on her actual birthday SHE gave ME a blueberry muffin for breakfast and brought leftovers for US to all have for HER birthday lunch. SHE cracks ME up!
But seriously though, I love the logic behind her actions: she’s so thankful for the friends with whom she has fellowship and community that she just wants to bless them on HER birthday.

It got me thinking….. should that maybe be our thinking about our lives all the time? I mean, honestly, shouldn’t I want my prescence and life to have been a blessing to others. For those of us who believe, maybe even more so. Because of my relationship with Him I should be reflecting His glory. So wouldn’t it follow that I should want to leave an impact on others that would cause them to better know and understand Him (a blessing to say the least)? In fact, if I live my life to follow Him, then truth be told, that's EXACTLY what He did. His birth, life, death, teachings-EVERYTHING about Him was and is a great blessing to the world. So my life should indeed be reflecting that. Yeah, I'm quite sure she's got that right.......

During the evening of the party, another coworker who, let’s just say has “Christmas-spirit” oozing out of her like the grapefruit you cut that squirts juice everywhere. The only difference between her and the grapefruit is you need not apply any pressure to be hit with the effects of her Christmas spirit (oh, and she’s much, MUCH cuter)!

I must confess that I’m surprised to find her Christmas joy contagious! At first I was amused by all the festive singing, dancing, Christmas-music-playing and decorating. But it wasn’t like a few days and it’s not intermittent. Since maybe even before December her merrymaking has continued. And the thing is, she’s like a child at Christmas. There’s the joy but there’s something more, an exuberance and eager anticipation of something GREAT!

Towards the end of the night her favorite Christmas song, to which she always loudly sings was played. And you know what? There was absolutely NO shame in her game at enthusiastically singing the entire thing at the top of her voice AND inviting us all to join in. And the thing is even though it was ever-so comical…..we all DID! As I whipped out my camera and started filming this moment that I’d been wanting to capture for so long (for my entertainment purposes) I found myself so excited by her consistent excitement, and unapologetic lack of embarrassment all flowing from a joy for Christmas that I began to think, “I remember when I used to be all excited about Christmas. It was something about that eager longing for something exciting to happen. I kinda miss it.” I looked at my friend and realized that this was one of the many things I loved about her. Her infectious zeal for the right things! I SHOULD be excited about what Christmas means, more so than I have been! The next thing I know, I’m all giddy about Christmas, putting down my camera and singing along! It was great!

I’m thankful for the people He has placed in my life for such a time as this to encourage and challenge me. It makes me think of Pr. 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.