Stressssss!!!!!!

Okay - I'm officially feeling the Christmas stress. I was doing good up until now. I managed to complete all my Christmas shopping and decorating last week. Thus far in December I've traveled out of the state to a Christmas party, attended a church Christmas party and had a Christmas party this past Saturday at my house for 26 people. Three parties down - two left to attend. All of this I have accomplished with a smile on my face.

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Then Sunday happened. This mama was tuckered out and tired and so are my children. But in a tense moment one of my children did something that upset me and my mouth began... I said stuff I wish I had not said, the typical mom stuff - like (please forgive me - but I'm being a little honest here)... "maybe I should return your Christmas presents since you are not behaving". LOVELY! Oops! That wasn't loving, kind, patient, joyful, gentle or self-controlled!

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Just a couple hours later I was sitting at a church choir concert being totally convicted of the way I had spoken earlier to my child! ARGH! So of course I apologized and was forgiven - phew. But I have to ask myself - what is going on in my heart. Matthew 12:34 says "For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks."

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I could try to excuse my behavior as simply an exhausted mom who is at the height of Christmas stress - but I don't see that exception given in God's word!

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If you bump a mug full of coffee - what spills out? Coffee. If you bump a tea cup what spills out? Tea. If you bump a bottle of water, what spills out? Water. You see whatever is in our hearts - when it gets bumped - that is what is going to spill out!

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I spent my weekend a little crazy - working hard on Christmas stuff - and very little time in God's word and guess what - when my child "bumped" me - what spilled out? Anger and frustration- UGLINESS!

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I need God - in this Christmas season more than ever! If you are with me - and feeling high stress - get on your knees and surrender your day to Christ and do not walk in the flesh but in the Spirit. Galatians 5:22 says "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control." This needs to be my standard for my behavior today! Lord - help me!!!!!

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Walk with the King!

Courtney

http://www.womenlivingwell.org/