What I Want for Christmas

I asked the Lord for a total lobotomy. I've determined in my mind by the grace given through Jesus Christ to have a new attitude. A mind that focuses on the truths and ways of Jesus. A mind that focuses on the positive and not the negative.

I'm fed up with irritating circumstances. The type of pesky circumstances that seem like chiggers. Those annoying little red insects that embed themselves just underneath the skin cause the itching sensation. This year I want to suffocate those pesky circumstances like I suffocate the chiggers with nail polish. (Painting nail polish, usually the clear coat, suffocates chiggers to death and stops the itching. I'm not a medical professional, so please consult a physician before starting this or any medical treatment at home.)

Let me say, I've been experimenting with this new attitude. I started practicing my new attitude on my husband a few weekends ago. Sometimes he does little things that annoy me like a chigger. (Please, if you're married to Mr. Perfect, then I praise the Lord. But for me, the Lord uses my husband [and children] to work me over.) My 19 year old adult child stopped by for a visit and the three of us were discussing the purchase of a new vacuum for his apartment. We told him about some that are on sell at Home Depot. He quickly claimed he did not want a cheap $40 vacuum. Then his dear daddy, my loving husband spouted off, "We paid $1000 for ours and your mom does not use it so you can take it." (Now you had to hear the tone and see him looking around the house to catch him implying I did not clean.) At this moment to keep peace in the home, I said nothing (except my vacuum cleaner stayed at home). As the conversation progressed about what we wanted for Christmas, I asked for a housekeeper. Neither one of the guys got it.

But in reality, I asked for a new mind. After praying about it, I spoke to my husband the next day. I started explaining to my husband that I did not think he was the enemy. I did not think he intended to hurt me. But then I explained how hard I work to keep up with the house and how his words to our son hurt me. He explained calmly and sweetly to me that it was only meant as a joke. Since we bought the vacuum, we've laid ceramic tile in most of the house. That's what he was thinking.

What I learned from this is my husband's thoughts were one direction. I took his comment in another direction in my mind that started to grow into hostility. That equals miscommunication. Something like this in the past could have easily sparked an argument that would last all day. But since I'm seeking the Lord for a new attitude. I applied the nail polish over this little annoyance stopping the irritation.

Now my prayer is that my new attitude carry over when all the family arrives for Christmas. My old attitude, a Martha type spirit, would get upset that no one else is helping. I want to be thankful that I have family I can serve. But starting now and throughout the year, I want to have a new attitude.

Last week I read the following scripture which I think sums it all up.

Practice hospitality to one another (those of the household of faith). [Be hospitable, be a lover of strangers, with brotherly affection for the unknown guests, the foreigners, the poor, and all others who come your way who are of Christ's body.] And [in each instance] do it ungrudgingly (cordially and graciously, without complaining but as representing Him). ~~ 1 Peter 4:9 (AMP)

Engrafted by His Grace--