Sometimes, it takes someone older and wiser to point a thing out.
Sometimes, you just have to walk through the experience for yourself.
Sometimes, it takes both.
Years ago, an older man I admire very much shared an opinion with me that changed the way I thought about....
...pinatas.
You know pinatas--large, candy-filled paper mache ornaments hung high so that children can take turns beating it with a stick while it bobs up and down in the air to allude them.
Pinatas look festive. Everyone anticipates breaking them open. They promise excitement. They hold the coveted candy and gifts.
But in reality, they almost always serve to bring out the very worst in children. Mean, pushy and selfish kids are rewarded with a big stash of candy while meeker or more considerate lovelies are shoved aside mercilessly and left with next to nothing.
And that's on a good day.
A bad day might involve someone making a trip to the emergency room for stitches because little kids with big sticks have their eyes only on the prize.
As the post-Christmas wind down enters the picture, it occurs to me that the season--if not planned and handled carefully--can be a little like the pinata at a party.
I think it hit me while I was on the treadmill today, watching the news anchors promote this story or that story about how to lose the holiday pounds. I got to thinking about how very antithetical my celebration of my Savior's incarnation has been this year!
He gave all, but me and mine have slowly and unwittingly trained ourselves in the selfish habit of receiving these last weeks.
Jesus was one Who redeemed the time, but we've spent more than our fair share of hours amusing ourselves in watching the first season's episodes of The Andy Griffith Show--which we gave to ourselves for Christmas. *scoff*
He is holy and self-controlled, and wants us to be so, but instead we've exploited the opportunity and thrown caution to the wind, thereby abusing His temple. "Pass the Hershey's Kisses, please!
"Hey, are there any more gingersnaps?"
8 comments:
Each year I become more and more convinced that if Christ were here, He'd want nothing to do with most of the things we do to celebrate His birthday.
People go on and on about keeping the Christ in Christmas, but... was He ever really in it? I have a dear friend who does not put up a tree, bake cookies, or spend hundreds of dollars on her kids for Christmas, but her family still celebrates the savior's birth. I think she's got it right.
Couldn't you at least have waited until the New Year to rain on my parade?:)) Glad to know your family is enjoying the holiday season.
From one ex-UPCier to another--
God bless you, you have a beautiful blog and I put you on my link list--if you do not mind.
Pow! You hit me right between the eyes. Not that I am resentful, mind you. I so need an attitude adjustment!!
Also, may I just add that you SO inspired me with the phrase "I was on the treadmill"?? I happen to be on the couch, under a blanket, in my jammies, at 11 am. Sigh. See why I need an adjustment right now???? :)
Welcome, Bishop's Wife! *whisper* But I'm too shy to be UPC. :)
Missy, I've been on the treadmill, the eliptical, and various other torture modes for 5 years! I should be a supermodel by now. Watch out for that 39th birthday, I tell ya'...my metabolism just stalled after a long idle--right on the day, I think! lol.
Now I'm trying more strength training; I'll let you know how it goes.
I love the way God puts things in your mind and you share them with us. i never thought about pinatas that way before, but you are so right.
Well said.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. The Holy Spirit has been poking at me, as well. I appreciated what you had to say. He did give all and we, shamefully, give so little. May we be convicted and compelled to live more for Him.
By the way, thank you for the Christmas wishes and for the advice regarding the violin playing. Ally was a little embarassed as she was claiming she did know that she needed to adjust as she was playing but was too nervous to at the time. lol But playing in front of others and using her gift to honor the Lord was a blessing to see and I know the Lord will continue to work in her regarding being in front of people. ;o) We did appreciate your advice, though. Thank you.
I hope y'all enjoy your weekend together ~
Christina
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