“Thank you so much.”
My words hung frozen in the air as the store employee blatantly ignored my parting words.
“Hmmm,” I wondered. “Is she hard of hearing, or is her silence toward me an intentional expression of passive-aggressive behavior?”
Her beautifully coiffured hair and meticulously accessorized outfit could not conceal the fact that the woman behind the register felt strong displeasure regarding our recently completed transaction. Ouch. The seasonal Christmas lyrics and the costly, glittering decorations did little to mask the unsavory ambiance.
This experience walked away with me and gave pause for my own self-evaluation:
Am I a Grinch or am I a Blessing?
Sadly, in these seasonal days of December, you and I find ourselves in the position of the lady in the shop, and we are tempted to allow the Grinch to get the upper hand in our holiday demeanor. Being a Christ-follower does not make us immune to inappropriate behavior. And, like the music and decorations in the boutique, we rely on the artificial tinsel to cover up frustration and pressure.
But The Baby in the Manger offers a better way for Christmas 2021—a better way than being a Grinch; He offers us the opportunity to be His Blessing. Consider the difference between the two.
Characteristics of a Christmas Grinch:
Grumbling out loud
Muttering under one’s breath
Vocalizing extended sighs
Rolling glaring eyes
Staging aloofness
Viewing oneself as a martyr in selflessly preparing Christmas for everyone else
Manufacturing passive-aggressive silence
Complaining about crowded parking lots, slow service, long lines, and traffic jams
Jumping on one’s phone to communicate indifference
Honking the horn unnecessarily (guilty as charged)
Characteristics of a Christmas Blessing:
Intentionally extending a blessing into a blessing-starved vacuum: Merry Christmas, in Jesus’ Name.
Intentionally giving a gift card to an unsuspecting worker: You work so hard; thank you. This coffee is on me.
Intentionally expressing gratitude to anyone we encounter: Thank you; thank you so much.
Intentionally speaking affirmation: You have done a great job; is your supervisor nearby so that I can give you due credit?
Intentionally seeking to serve rather than be served: Please go ahead of me; you have your hands full with that little one.
Intentionally recognizing that the secret is found—not in ourselves—but rather in the power of the Holy Spirit—and knowing that when we yield to Him—we become “the pleasing aroma of Christ” (2 Corinthians 2:15). Hallelujah!
From Valley of Vision: “We thank Thee for thy unspeakable gift . . . May every place and company we are in be benefited by us.”
Living With Eternal Intentionality®
Living with eternal intentionality in the everyday here and now
“Jesus, I want to be a Blessing throughout this Christmas season. Please control and empower me by Your indwelling Holy Spirit to bring love and joy to each individual You and I encounter. I am convinced that apart from You, I can do nothing. I need and depend on the supernatural resources only You provide. I pray this today; I will pray this tomorrow. Thank you so much for hearing and answering!”
