Proverbs 16: 32
Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city.
How were your Christmas Day family times? Did everyone get along sweetly, and express thankfulness for all the gifts exchanged? Or were there arguments, fights, resentments or envy expressed?
If everything didn't go well, like the picture-books and holiday pictures, then what was it that marred the picture? How could we have made things better? Do we need to apologize? Do we need to forgive? Do we need to make amends for past wrongs, that are spoiling our relationships today?
Holidays are meant to be joyous, happy times. But so often there are things that spoil and destroy our joy. Let's examine ourselves to see if there is anything we can do to remedy whatever rifts there be in our relationships with those who should be close to us. People are precious, and need to be handled with care. And we are, too; so we need to grow a thick skin that negative words can roll off of, instead of sinking in. Let us learn how to love one another the way God loves us, and forgive one another as God, in Christ, has forgiven us.
May we determine today that this coming year will be the beginning of a whole new way of doing things. May we decide to say only positive words that will encourage others and build them up, and see others as God sees them, through His eyes of love for them, and consider their needs that we are able to help them with, no matter what it costs us. And stay in prayer every day, practicing the presence of God, to do what He prompts, say His words, and go where He would lead each one of us. May this be a new beginning.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
