Where is Your Focus?
It is the Season of gift buying and has started out to be a busy month already.
Plans have already been marked for family gatherings.
The Christmas tree is up and glowing through the window for the world to see.
Some have the lights shining bright to bring crowds around.
Gifts are needing to be bought because there are sales everywhere.
Hot chocolate and Christmas shows are on the headlines.
The lists keep growing and our schedules are extended.
Running like crazy people to catch last-minute gifts, we forget to be personable.
Stop, take a breath, and look for faces. I understand that it is a blur right now.
Everyone wants all things to be perfect.
Ask yourself, if you are focusing on the right things.
Have you noticed the face of desperation?
Sadness in someone’s walk? Is Depression behind the mask?
Is a head tilted to the ground to hide the marked bruises?
We need to STOP and pay attention to what is happening with the people we try not to encounter.
Yes, I said that right, we do not want to be encountered by people that have problems during this time of the year.
Because we do not have the time to focus on them.
We look over those moments and dismiss them because that will put an extra link in our chain that we cannot afford.
Christ notices the blindfolds and what we believe is more important.
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” (Colossians 3:2, NIV)
Holidays are harder on some people than on others.
When some see a cheerful time, others fear the worst because it brings back memories or the feeling of loneliness.
December is not about the gifts, the food, the shopping trips, hot chocolate, Christmas lights, or Santa Claus.
I am not saying those things are bad to do or enjoy.
It is the fellowship with family, and friends, compassion, giving in time and love, and acts of kindness that should be the top priority.
Put away the bitterness, resentment, busy schedules, or what you believe is more important.
Take the time to look around and notice faces and talk to someone who needs you.
How would you know if they needed you if you are rushing through encounters?
The first step is to walk up with a smile and say something sweet or encouraging.
The Holy Spirit warms your heart when you do the right thing.
Your facial expression alone can make hurt disperse.
Loving people is not that hard, and maybe your loving spirit may be the only encounter they received.
They will remember you and the Spirit that encountered them in those moments.
Don’t go on believing that they did not notice you took time out of your day to stop and recognize them.
You do not have to make it obvious by telling them, THEY KNOW.
Have you thought about that?
That conversation that took your time away from what the world believes to be more important, was the act of what Christ does for us on a daily basis.
God has big and important things to do in his schedule.
Yet, he stops, smiles, and eagerly wants to give us all of his attention.
Can we do that for the faces in the crowds?
Not just in crowds within stores, but our families, friends, co-workers, bosses, and church family.
This is the Season to focus on what matters to the heart, mind, and soul.
Gifts are thrown away each year or re-gifted. Remember that before you dismiss someone that needed your time, patience, and a heartfelt conversation.
That leaves a better impression than a physical gift.
People are more important than gifts.
Focus on matters of the heart, and if you struggle with what you should do at the moment, choose the right path.
I am going to leave you with this thought,
If God was sitting alone and it appeared that something was the matter.
Would you look away because you are too busy, and it will cause you to run late to start that conversation?
