Christmas Perfection

Do you ever find yourself in the middle of a situation and think; “Stop talking! Stop talking! Stop letting those words come out of my mouth!”?

No? Just me?

Well, today I had one of those moments. My brutal honest opinion was not needed in the situation. It was a situation that was suppose to be fun and enjoyable, but I literally had to stop myself, from my prefectionist ways, before I ruined it. Things didn’t need to be a certain way for them to be good or enjoyable. However, I was so focused on the vision in my head that I wasn’t listening to the words pouring out of my mouth or the impact they were having on others.

I mean we were decorating - as a surprise - just for fun! We were doing it to share some of that Christmas love I was talking about yesterday and what was I doing - starting to nitpick at the details. When I realized what I was doing I finally stopped myself, but I felt so bad. This should have been a time of encouragement for us together not a stressor.

While I would like to think that I didn’t damper our time too much and that I was able to turn it around, I’m not totally sure. You know, once the words are out of your mouth you never can take them back.

“You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry”

James 1:19b

That verse popped into my mind as I was driving home and wow, talk about conviction. While there wasn’t any anger involved today, I certainly wasn’t quick to listen or slow to speak. When I’m comfortable with people I don’t filter myself and while that can be a good at times, today it wasn’t. I didn’t take their thoughts and feelings into account nearly enough.

So, as we get deeper into the season and more situations like that start to pop up, consider this your friendly reminder to think before you speak. You don’t always have to have an opinion, or a response to everything being discussed. It’s a good choice to simply listen. Remember everyone has feelings - including those closest to you. Don’t lose sight of how your words have an impact on them. Build people up, don’t tear them down.

And when you are doing the “things” of the season don’t get caught up in making everything perfect. After all those “things” are just bonus - Jesus is the real deal.

Tomorrow I will try again.

To Everything There Is A Season…

Kiley Ann