Ok I'll admit it that I am sort of a Christmas decoration hoarder. I do have my limits. My mom, who lives with us, does not have a limit. I determined that this year was going to be that year that we would just pitch stuff, and I was ready to pitch! I pick up this stuffed, fabric santa. (We need a side note here. We have never made santa out to be real. He is simply a figure but NOT the reason for Christmas.) I pick up this stuffed santa and told my mom it was time to pitch it. I mean it is just fabric with stuffing inside it. I've bought dog chew toys that look more appealing. My Mom looks at me and says, "Mom made those." In a simple, short sentence, my mom put great value to this simple stuffed piece of fabric. Her mom, my grandma, had made them. My grandma has been with the Lord for almost 23 years. My mom is 85 years old and her love for her own mother kept her from throwing something touched by her mother's hands. I remember my grandma very well. I can remember how she made a noise when she was deep in thought. I remember the sound of her voice, the beautiful color of her skin, and the sugar cookies she used to make. Those silly stuffed santas took on great value to me because it was a small part of my grandma I could still have until I meet her again in Heaven. At first I wanted to pitch them and now they are stored downstairs in the basement. What had changed? My attitude! Have you ever had something happen and at that moment you're like "Great! Like I needed this to happen." Yet afterwards, when you got a different perspective on the matter you think "Thank you Lord, I DID need that."The issue is when the problem, sorrow, or trial happens we can get so caught up in it that we neglect to seek God in it. We meditate on the problem or simply put we - worry. We dwell on the problem. We turn it over and over in our minds until it consumes us. Whatever you're going through right now give it to the Lord. He may not change the circumstance but if you let Him He may change you.... Pastor Chris preached part 2 of Attitudes to Adopt in Suffering 12/29/21. Maybe that ugly stuffed 'santa' you have a hold of may be the very thing God is going to use to help conform you to His image.
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