Assumptions

You know what they say happens when we make assumptions?  You know we make fools out of you and me.  How quickly we find this to be true the minute we jump out there with a generalized thought.  We all do it everyday.  We are positive something should be one way, when in fact, there is a 50/50 chance it will be another way.

Just imagine, a new mother walking down the street with a young child.  We all assume her life is one way, full of hope and joy, when in fact, it could be totally different.  We are not sure what is going on with her.  Or the woman that has just found out that she is expecting.  Oh, how quickly we assume that she needs to know every tidbit of advice that quickly flows off of our tongue.  Why can't we stop assuming about ourselves or others?

I always assumed that as a mother, things would fall into plan naturally.  Ha!! What happens to our soul when we assume our life should be one way, and we just don't seem to get there on our own??  We instantly become deflated.  We hang our head and our heart soon will drop too.  We begin to feel as though we can't get it all done...we aren't functioning like we assume everyone else is out there...we run ourselves around and around until we can't tell where we stop and where we begin. 

Each day, I have to remind myself that this month isn't about packing in all of the activities or buying as many gifts as possible.  We assume that December is supposed to be about Christmas...the Christmas that Black Friday or cyber-Monday has inspired.  How foolish we are to assume this. 

Christmas is a necessity. 

There has to be at least one day of the year

to remind us that we're here for

 something else besides ourselves.  ~Eric Sevareid

 

I keep telling myself that this month is about a baby born in a stable.  It's about a bright star that drew three wise men to the miracle being born.  It is about a mother not sure why she was chosen to be given a blessing.  It is about a father trusting that there was a God bigger than him with a better plan than his own.  They were following a faith that would endure.  I'm sure they weren't assuming that their faithful journey would be easy.  In fact, this young family's journey had just begun , and it would prove to be painful all along the way.  This is a month that is not about me and my plans.  It is about more than me, more than my family, more than my Christmas list.  It's about assuming the best, but realizing that assumptions don't always hold true.

{I love that this song helps me to imagine what this night was like for Mary}

Even though there are twinkling lights on every street corner, trees beautifully dressed with presents underneath, and kitchens filled with glorious smells, there are still people that are hurting and missing out on the miracle of Christmas.  Let's all reach out a hand to share our faithful journey, that is not always easy, with one another.   Never underestimate the difference your touch, your note, your vote, your voice, your call, your email, your influence, your listening ear, your giving, or your acts of service can make in the life of someone who is overcome with life’s mess and pain.  This year I pray I can rejoice and make this Christmas about the gift of a baby born to us in an unassuming stable rather than the latest shiny thing on my wish list.

Isaiah 9:6-7"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this."