While this is my favorite time of the year, I know it can be a difficult to navigate for many.
With only 9 days left the “Christmas Season” is in full swing. There is the last minute shopping to get done. You’ve got a string of Christmas parties to hit up. Family gatherings will have you stressed out to the max. We often describe this as the “hustle and bustle” of the Christmas season.
I just want to remind you of one thing today. In the midst of your see more, do more, wrap more, shop more, decorate more, get rushed, crazed, and stressed out Christmas season. Please remember this:
Love becomes a luxury as the speed of life increases.
You tend to forget that people don’t exist just to meet your needs, but they have a soul.
You tend to forget that everyone needs healing…everyone.
You tend to forget that you simply cannot love like Jesus and live in constant hurry.
Do you agree?
Thanks Pete! That was a great reminder! It is easy to get so wrapped up in ourselves that we forget others during this time. “All you need is love…”
Yep. Just realized that maybe I stay busy so I don’t HAVE TO love?
.-= Lindsey Nobles´s last blog ..Drafting Blueprints, Part 2 =-.
Wow…I think you nailed that one Lindsey.
.-= Jason´s last blog ..Mission Bellevue Ridge Fire Update Dec. 16 8am =-.
Wow. You just hit me in the face with the truth stick. I really wasn’t looking to get overly convicted today – then I read this blog and your comment.
Wow Lindsey. I think I do the same. It’s much easier and more comfortable to be “task oriented” than “love oriented”.
i think you hit it on the nose there Pete.
.-= susan´s last blog ..Freedom =-.
100% AGREED!!!!!
Great reminder, Pete. My parents are coming to our home for Christmas and last night I was informed that Mom wants to do some shopping when they arrive. I spent 15 minutes complaining before I remembered that they are spending 4 days on the road to be with their boy & his family for Christmas. I think I can spend a few hours out of my comfort zone to meet their needs.
.-= nathan jeter´s last blog ..I blatantly stole this from Perry Noble =-.
Since my divorce, I have intentionally slowed down and changed my perception of To Do lists. I remember how much I needed people to simply listen and be there when my world was falling apart. Although I have thanked those people profusely I still don’t think they have any idea how much their quality time, prayers, and love REALLY meant/mean to me.
It’s easy to feel “successful” and smug when the daily To Do list is riddled with check marks and strike-throughs to demonstrate how productive and efficient (and sometimes even creative) we have been in a 16-hour period. (See how much I’ve done today, God? I’m certainly not wasting the talents you’ve given me. See, God? See what I’ve done?… )
It’s much harder to feel like a champion or Christian-of-the-Month when we have simply poured ourselves into the lives of others by hearing them kvetch or by sitting with them in uncomfortable silence or by letting them drip tears and makeup into our shoulders. Most people don’t know how to translate appreciation into gold stars in ways that we “get.” So, we leave those interactions wondering if the day mattered or not… and with a longer To Do List for tomorrow. And if that happens often enough, it’s easy to stop being with people and to just collect the lists in a scrapbook we like to peruse when we need to remember how successful we are.
It takes your own desperate times to develop confidence in throwing away the manmade lists and beginning to let the Spirit guide. But it is so very, very worth it.
Thank you for the reminder.
I wholeheartedly agree! That’s why I’m not trying to cram a year’s worth of Christmas into a couple of weeks at the end of the year. 2010 is going to be an entire year of Christmas for me. As result I’m not stressing a bit and I haven’t bought the first thing – because I have no deadline!!!
So far I’m enjoying this season more than I have in a very long time. I’m not even worried about my VERY limited resources this year because I’m focusing on people and actions instead of material things. So far God has provided over and above for every need – and I fully expect Him to continue!
No, I don’t have it all together and don’t mean to insinuate that I do, but I just couldn’t take it anymore and finally submitted in obedience to a call I felt. BTW, I highly recommend obedience!
.-= Cindy Graves´s last blog ..Twelve Days of Christmas…My Version =-.
“you simply cannot love like Jesus and live in a constant hurry.”
Ouch.
Thank you for those words. Gonna go tweet your quote and remind myself of that each day.
.-= Darla Baerg´s last blog ..Howdy New York =-.
Good words Pete. Thank you. For decades now my wife has been reminding me of a simple axiom that is especially helpful for those of us in ministry settings – but is universally applicable.
“Don’t get so caught up in the task(s) that you forget about the people.”
I’ve been living the life of intentional “rest” for a whole year. And from experience I can agree whole-heartedly. A life at rest: Is a heart at rest. Able to love fully. Able to see clearly.
Slowing has changed my life.
.-= jessica´s last blog ..Rejoice =-.
I think Jesus also becomes a luxury around these times.
Meaning, I use him when i need him (Christmas Eve) and then move on to the real event (Christmas Day and opening gifts).
.-= Kyle Reed´s last blog ..8 Questions =-.
Certainly agree with this one: “You tend to forget that people don’t exist just to meet your needs, but they have a soul.”
It’s depressing at first, when you realize that not many people really care about. But then on the other side, when you recognize how much Jesus loves you, you get this tsunami of enthusiasm… at least I do. And at that point, that’s when I most want to reach out and help those people… because they do have a soul, even if they don’t really care about anyone else but themselves.
-Marshall Jones Jr.
.-= bondChristian´s last blog ..Why serve others =-.
Great post, Pete. I had a thought that it doesn’t feel like Christmas to me this year. Somethings missing. I think what has been present has been my task list, and it pushed everything else out of the picture.
Thanks for the reminder. The part about everyone needing healing hit me hard. It’s about love, it’s about people, it’s about Christ.
When being polite (thank you, excuse me, etc…) I try to remember that I am doing it for “them,” not for me, even though I DO feel good doing it. Who really “feels good” when they are sitting in their car waiting for it to warm up, after treating someone like crap? It’s like an alcohol hangover. You know its going to happen when you drink too much, but you do it anyways. It’s evil!
.-= Jody´s last blog ..Too tired =-.
I do agree and I spend way to much time trying to stay busy!
I had a great reminder (your blog post is as well) last night that I tend to stay way to busy and don’t spend enough time loving on others.
I am working on that issue daily!
.-= Becky´s last blog ..Chisum Family =-.
Right now I am being forced to take life slow. I just wrapped up the semester at two colleges and guess what! I have bronchitis (the sinus infection is clearing up yay!). But add to that that I am not going to be able to see my family yet again this year for Christmas. That is what happens when since getting fired for your faith in October of 2003 you still don’t have a full time position after 6 yrs and you wonder what exactly is God doing in your life. And I usually never have a choice when it comes to all of a sudden things slow down.
Lindsey’s comment hit home with me, but in a different way…
Christmas is a lot of fun. I love shopping, I love giving (I also love receiving), etc. It is filled with laughter, Christmas parties, family, friends, and there is a spirit that I love this time of the year. My 2 year old son is now old enough to grasp some of the Christmas cheer, and it is so refreshing and fun to watch.
However, I try and stay busy because Christmas hurts. Though this is the happiest time of the year, it’s also the saddest. This year, one of my cousins lost a baby 2 days after she was born. This would be her first Christmas. That hurts. Three years ago, on Christmas, my aunt – who’d had cancer for about 3 years – entered the hospital for the final time, before entering Hospice and dying on the 29th, which was the day before my wedding. My dad’s mom celebrated Christmas with us for the last time in 2002, before developing pnemonia the day afterwards and dying on the 28th. Staying busy helps me stay in denial… I want to be happy this time of the year, not sad. However, I have to remind myself yearly that it is okay to feel these feelings, and I need to get them out so I can truly be happy and enjoy the baby in the manger. The baby in the manger came so that I could throw up my saddness and embrace my happiness… that’s what I try and remember this Christmas.
.-= diane´s last blog ..Fun with Leaves =-.
Praying you’ll be able to “embrace the happiness” in the midst of your hurt Diane.
Thanks, Pete. That means a lot!
.-= diane´s last blog ..Fun with Leaves =-.
no. you. didn’t.
good post.
–Terrace Crawford
http://www.terracecrawford.com
http://www.twitter.com/terracecrawford
Thanks Pete. This was succinct and powerful. I am fighting a life-long addrenaline addiction. My third grade teacher told my parents that I will leave 45 minutes to do an hour-long project. I still have the tendancy to wrap myself in hurry and business. I’m working on it. My kids, my wife, my church needs a calmer Josh. I think the God of peace and purpose can more easily use a clamer Josh. Thanks a ton for this post. God bless you.
.-= Joshua Skogerboe´s last blog ..favre and ochocinco :: identity and belonging =-.
Completely agree with you Pete.
.-= Jason´s last blog ..Mission Bellevue Ridge Fire Update Dec. 16 8am =-.
I do agree. Especially as the Christmas season becomes more about “things” – the things to do -things to get – things we “want”. Then we focus on “places” – places to go – places we want to go – as we hurry we miss see the people Jesus loves as we scurry past . . . Yup I do agree
That last sentence, “you tend to forget that you simply cannot love like Jesus and live in constant hurry”, hits the nail on the head. This is something I am SO guilty of and am trying to change. For instance, getting ready to go out with my husband last night while cleaning up the house for the babysitter. It hit me that for the past couple hours I had only yelled at my kids to finish what they were doing or to help me. I realized that if something happened to us while we were driving, my kids’ last memory of me would be me barking at them to get things done, not spending time with them or loving on them. So often I am guilty of making friends (or even strangers) feel better than my own kids. Why can’t I treat my kids the way I do the people outside my home? Am I so busy and in a rush all the time that I can’t even just enjoy them? I don’t want to remember me the way I am right now.
Funny (not haha funny) that the ones who ought to know best do least, i.e. pastors who should know better often fill their Christmas schedule so full that it becomes a struggle to stay focused. Every year I tell myself, “Now this year…” but then I do what I always have tended to do. Thanks for the reminder Pete.
.-= Bill (cycleguy)´s last blog ..Communication-Who Needs It? =-.
Yes, I wholeheartedly agree. I received a tweet the other day for Seth Godin’s new e-book “What Matters Now” and it had some really good points to think about. The point that impressed me quite a bit was by Howard Mann:
“More megaphones don’t equal a better dialogue. We’ve become slaves to our mobile devices and the glow of our screens. It used to be much more simple and, somewhere, simple turned into slow.
We walk the streets with our heads down staring into 3-inch screens while the world whisks by doing the same. And yet we’re convinced we are more connected to each other than ever before. Multi-tasking has become a badge of honor. I want to know why.”
So what I get from you, Pete, and the above quote is to slow down, love Jesus, love your family, and love your neighbor in a personal way, not an electronic way. It is hard, but I will certainly work at it.
.-= Daniel´s last blog ..The Inheritance by Grace =-.
Yes, I agree. Great reminder!
.-= Nick´s last blog ..One Last Year =-.
I couldn’t agree more.
.-= Sarah´s last blog ..True Story Tuesday =-.
Busyness keeps us from slowing down long enough to notice, to be fully present, to enjoy the moment – and the person – we’re with.
This Christmas has been very slow for me. And it’s also been very painful. I’ve tried to learn from the experiences, but as people whirl on past you with all their stuff to do, it can be lonely to be the one sitting still. I took a trip with my husband to just focus on him, and I’m going to really be more vigilant in spending long, luxurious moments with my children as they arrive this week.
I’ve found – by being on BOTH sides of this problem – that when life speeds up, we become more “task” oriented, and can see others as a way to meet our needs, or to get our tasks checked off. I’ve been guilty of it, and I’ve experienced the loneliness that comes from being ignored as an individual as well.
Thanks for sharing.
.-= Jan Owen´s last blog .. =-.
I had a friend stop me one day to ask if she had done something to hurt our friendship. Taken aback, I answered “Of course not. Why do you ask?” Her reply cut my running shoes right out from under me and I hope I never put them on again. She said “You use to stop by my office just to chat. Now you rush by with hardly a ‘hello’.” I’ve often thought how blessed I am that she cared enough to stop me that day to ask a question that will, hopefully, forever cause me to slow down at least enough to love a little along the way:). Merry Christmas to all.
Ouch! That hits a little close to home. I tend to be “matter of fact” and “all business” when I get hurried and hectic. I need to slow down and see people (even those close to me) as a soul who needs love, healing and attention. Thanks for the reminder.
.-= Randy Kinnick´s last blog ..You’re a Mean One… =-.
Uhh, I am now taking extra days off with the family. Great post for me! When you “own” something whether it be a church, company, non-profit, etc… it is harder to practice rest in my opinion. I need to rest, period
So true Casey!
Co-Working Pete,
Knowing you have to scroll a long way to see this, after a week’s worth of your blogs:
1. I know only one other woman, twice your age, who could put up with, let alone enjoy, a pastor husband, and she’s taken.
2. Photoshop ol’ Santa or any of your boys into the picture (from old man in family photo of 13 with 5 in single digit ages)
3. I’m close to buying you an office cat for Mr. Mouse (aaahhh-CHOO goes my allergy).
.-= Tom´s last blog ..A Man for This Season =-.
Good stuff Pete. Agreed. We live at too fast a pace…Time to slow down and love like Jesus.
.-= John Alexander´s last blog ..Heinz Ketchup and God: Some Food for Thought =-.
Yes I agree, to see why you can check my last post
Have a blessed Christmas
.-= ransom33´s last blog ..2009 = Being thrown into a spin cycle. Can anyone else relate to that? =-.
Soooooo true, amen to that Pete!!!!
.-= Lauren Kelly´s last blog ..George didn’t have your email so….. =-.
I totally agree. The thing I’ve noticed is that the more you express love, the slower life gets – even if you’re still busy.
.-= Rachel´s last blog ..Santa Claus 101 =-.
@Rachel, that’s so true. Experienced that just this afternoon.
.-= Pete Wilson´s last blog ..Love Becomes A Luxury =-.
It’s interesting that Paul used the phrase noisy gong or clanging cymbal to describe activity without love.
There sure is a lot of noise this time of year.
.-= Tony York´s last blog ..Movie Scenes That Stick With You =-.
I agree! And am trying to slow down to make people the most important things – since God does – whether that means reading an extra book to my kids or chatting with the neighbor or having last-minute dinner guests. I pray for more opportunities to love on them!
.-= Abbie´s last blog ..Ornaments – Celebrating His Name =-.
That line would sooo work good in my book I’m writing.
Where did you see it at this past year or is it yours and if so can I use it in my book?
Take care,
Amy
Great reminder to all of us who are task oriented. I have my list of things to be accomplished, you’re not on it, so you are an interruption rather than a God ordained opportunity.
I’m always challenged by Jesus willingness to spend time with those who wanted to be with Him. He never seemed to be rushed yet always accomplished exactly what needed to be done. Lord teach me how to pace my life like you did.
.-= Bill Foote´s last blog ..Struggling with Pornography – Part 2 =-.