7th Day of Christmas with Glynnis Whitwer
Welcome to our 5th annual 12 Days of Christmas giveaways!.
Each day I’ll feature one of my Proverbs 31 sisters offering a recipe, idea or memory and giving away a prize for the day!
Today’s guest?
The organization/time management chick and writing whiz:
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Am I a Christmas Failure?
A few years ago, December found me feeling rather un-Christmasy. It had been a very hard year, filled with one challenge after another. And when it came time to start the Christmas season, my reaction was anything but merry.
My emotional and physical tanks were completely drained, and creativity seemed a distant dream.
Boxes of Christmas decorations sat in a closet. Christmas cards (bought on sale the prior year) waited on the counter. There were unmade cookies, unplanned parties, and unseen neighborhood light displays.
As I looked at my calendar and house, all I saw were things I hadn’t done. I felt like a Christmas failure. After all, some women manage to get everything done, and look good doing it. Why couldn’t I?
The discouragement of my “failures” stole the joy of the Christmas season.
But then God reminded me of what I had done:
- I had loved Jesus with all my heart.
- I had served God faithfully in a ministry (Proverbs 31) that impacted millions of women for Christ.
- I had cared for the needs of five children (two of whom needed hours of work each day in academics).
- I had run a home-based business that cared for the needs of my family.
- I had supported my husband so he could run his business.
- I had attended every holiday concert and sports event that month that my kids were in (and wrestling meets last for hours).
No magazine took pictures of my house that year. Martha Stewart didn’t want to know my secret for amazing home-made gifts.
And my friends and family forgave me for not sending out Christmas cards for the second year in a row.
That Christmas God showed me all the exterior stuff is nice, but it doesn’t matter that much to Him. What really matters is if my heart is fully submitted to His calling on my life.
His calling for me is to serve with a joyful heart. And apparently it’s not to decorate or craft.
So, if your house is still decorated for Thanksgiving, and if your presents will be wrapped in Target bags, and if your neighbors get a warm greeting rather than an assortment of homemade cookies and candy, it’s ok.
You aren’t a Christmas failure.
Just keep focused on what’s really important – and that’s Jesus. In a world filled with discouragement, He’s our only hope for peace and joy. And as much as I like homemade cookies and presents wrapped in satin bows, those don’t satisfy like my Savior.
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Glynnis Whitwer is on staff with Proverbs 31 Ministries and is one of the writers of Encouragement for Today. Her newest book, I Used to be So Organized, was released last fall. Glynnis, her husband Tod, and their five children live in Glendale, Arizona. Glynnis would love to invite you to visit her at www.GlynnisWhitwer.com where she blogs weekly and is in the midst of a series called “Sweet & Simple Christmas.”
Glynnis would love to give away two books. The first is her book “I Used to Be So Organized” and the second is “Seek” by Donna Jones.
To be entered in Glynnis’ giveaway, tell us one area in which you have ever felt like a CHristmas failure. I’ll go first: wrapping! My sister-in-law’s packages are gorgeous and creative. Mine are more like “brown paper packages tied up with strings”
Remember, you have until Sunday night December 16th to comment on all the posts. One grand prize winner will be chosen from among the gals who post on all 12 days!
(Gonna wait til tomorrow when there is more traffic to announce the grand prize)
My decorating style. Or I should say my lack of decorating style.
getting everything done in time…for years I rushed and hustled…now…I take a more layed back approach…I get done what I can and dont “sweat’ what I dont…The true meaning of Christmas is more important than rushing around to buy gifts spending $$ yout dont have to give people stuff they dont really need…Now I do less but more in the way that I give of my time and make sure those alone or hurting at this time are “looked in on” and /or not forgotten :)
There are quite a few Christmas ‘things’ I don’t do now that my daughters are married with kids of their own. And I’m okay with that! :)
baking, traditions, time, decor…most of it really…
I haven’t sent out Christmas cards in ages!
Tree decorating. Mine ways look so frumpy lol
Definitely not pushing my kids aside in my busyness at times. :(
The lack of Christmas decorating in my home.
Last year we didn’t send out Christmas cards for the first time. I felt like such a failure but in late January we sent a new years card. I was amazed at the number of people who were surprised and touched by the surprise of a card in late January.
I always want to do for everyone! And money nor time allows me to do so. I struggle who to give to and who to wait and do another year. It hurts my heart to leave anyone out. I feel a failure that I can’t do it all for everyone!
I’m horrible in gift wrapping. I’m also not much of a decorator.
I would say decorating and wrapping!
Making Christmas treats. Not very creative.
Getting wrapped up in everything except the real reason for the season. Each year I have big plans to do an advent for myself and one for my daughter and this year has been tough to incorporate that into our evenings.
I feel like a failure in the kitchen! I’m not much of a cook, though I can bake. But I don’t have much time so when we get invited to holiday parties I bring in store bought items!