Corrie Ten Boom said,
As we prepared a very large meal the other day, my daughter kept asking me to play air hockey and ping pong. “No, I have to cook.” “No, I’m so tired I need to sit a moment.”
I looked up and saw my husband and daughter having a great time and laughing and then I remembered what I decided would be my mantra for the holidays — that God tells us it is better to have a little food “with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting with strife” (Proverbs 17:1.) (See Where is Silent Night )
How much is too much? When are we giving too many presents? When are we cooking too much food? By having too much of relatively unimportant things, I believe many of us are missing out on the priceless things — “knee” time with Jesus, devotional time with our kids, time studying God’s word, time playing with our children.
Busy, type A people like me — repeat this:
I do not have to do everything! I can not be perfect! I can be perfectly happy in Jesus. Godliness with contentment is great gain. I would rather have little with peace and quite than feasting with strife.
I’m always afraid I’ll miss giving my kids “the perfect gift.” The perfect gift has already been given. I must relax and introduce my children to “the perfect gift.” His name is Jesus.
Romans 6:22-24 (New International Version)
22But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. 23For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in[a] Christ Jesus our Lord.
Lord, let me be content with what you have given. Forgive me when I send the wrong message to my children for I know that things cannot make them happy. Let me show them that a daily walk with You is the greatest joy that can be had upon this earth. Let this CHRISTmas truly be more of Christ. I love you, my Jesus, and continually dedicate my life and all I do, including this blog, to the work of your kingdom. Your words never come back void! May we as Christians spread Your Word around the globe until your return. I love you with all of my heart. Amen.