Happy Christmas Dear Reader,
As I was waiting in line to order lunch this past Wednesday,
the man behind me remarked about the slow nature of the service. He was in a hurry and felt quite
flustered. I was neither in a hurry nor
flustered.
I suggested that we switch places in line so that he could
at least order one person sooner. He resisted
at first but then I convinced him that I was in possession of an abundance of
time today. He relented and we switched.
Noticing my Santa Hat and Christmas scarf he commented
whilst we waited. He explained that he
is being a Grinch and does not care for the Christmas season at all. I listened to his story of loss and hurt as
we shuffled forward in line. He repeated
again that he is just a Grinch now.
Allowing a moment of silence, I smiled at the man and said, “That
is all right. We know how the Grinch
story ends.” For the first time in our
conversation he also smiled. When it was
his turn to order lunch the girl at the counter asked him how he was doing. He explained that he was doing better than
when he got here.
Finding Christmas this year must involve seeing the opportunities
to be kind to others a seizing them. I
can mitigate my own hurt and loss by creating moments of joy for others. I can be vigilant about guarding my heart against
the bitterness that resulted in the Grinch and Scrooge needing a story from the
outset.
The things that assail our hearts need not win. Stopping or ignoring the reality of Christmas
is impossible. It is a yearning in our
heart to feel the joy of a world in hope. This may be the non-retail reason why
we see Christmas in the shops earlier and earlier. I will keep my Christmas spirit to the last
but only if I remember to see the potential in the Grinches and Scrooges when I
encounter them.
Where are you Christmas?
You are in the line at the fast food restaurant with an opportunity to
be kind to a grumpy man. Where is Christmas for you today Dear Reader?
Wishing you joy in the journey,
Aramis Thorn
Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer
who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home
owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure
store.”
(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
Contacts for Aramis
Thorn:
Support Page on
Patreon: www.patreon.com/aramisthorn
Bookings at aramisthorn@aramisthorn.com
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