I feel as though I am constantly seeking balance in my life. Just because I can (fill in the blank) doesn’t mean I should. From most perspectives we are ahead of the curve this Christmas – with making the gifts, decorating, preparing and mailing packages to out of town recipients, etc. Yet I feel as pressed for time and as rushed as always. Being finished earlier than usual is only opening slots of time in my schedule that I continue to fill with more of the same, making gifts, decorating, etc. What is it about me that causes me to try to do more than to sit back, relax and enjoy the fruits of good planning and labor?

God gives me what I need when I need it. The following came to me yesterday in an e-mail.

A Christmas Adaptation of
1 Corinthians 13
by Sharon Jaynes

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights, and shiny glass balls but do not show love to my family, I’m just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals, and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime but do not show love to my family, I’m just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home, and give all that I have to charity but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties, and sing in the choir’s cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child. Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband. Love is kind, though harried and tired.

Love doesn’t envy another’s home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens. Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out of the way. Love doesn’t give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can’t.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.

Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust. But giving the gift of love will endure.

Content taken directly from Celebrating a Christ-Centered Christmas by Sharon Jaynes, published by Moody Publishing, copyright 2005.

The Lord gives me permission not to obsess about the details. I am hoping I can follow that advice.