Email
Print"It Shouldn't Be Like This"
This Christmas is going to be thin for us, gift-wise. My husband’s been out of work for a while, and like much of the country we’re making do with less. Far less.
Admittedly, there are worse things in life than being deprived of participating in a consumer frenzy. But it’s not easy, this business of disappointment. The thought keeps coming to mind: It shouldn’t be like this.
I argue with myself, Why not? Who says how it “should” be?
The truth is, we’re not starving. We’re not living in a war zone or dying of a preventable disease. We have a place to live and indoor plumbing and electricity. In material terms we’re far closer to prosperity than millions of people in the world. Yet the thought creeps back: It shouldn’t be like this.
I try to wrestle my thoughts into a more spiritual direction. I remind myself God has given us grace in abundance (1 Timothy 1:14) and love beyond measure. But at the moment that’s unsatisfying; at the moment, what I want is the way things used to be. The generosity I’m craving is of a different sort.
I sigh and shake off my stubborn materialism by doing practical things. I retrieve the box containing our crèche from the closet, and help the children set it up. I wryly note to myself that each figure is perfectly poised for humble worship. That carefully carved Joseph and those pious shepherds aren’t having any trouble praising God. Well sure, I grumble to myself, but they’re not alive. In real life—in this life—no one’s perfect.
And then, finally, I relax. For it dawns on me that the refrain running through my head—It shouldn’t be like this—is precisely why Christ came to earth. This life isn’t the whole story. A better life awaits us. If our lives here were perfectly comfortable and all our desires were met, we wouldn’t look beyond ourselves. We wouldn’t look to the state of our souls. And we certainly wouldn’t look to Jesus, who entered an imperfect world so that we could be made perfect.
And so I wish you a blessed Christmas. A frugal one, perhaps, or a lonely one, or a sorrowful one. It shouldn’t be like this. And yet, Jesus knows that. And he’s done something about it.
Permalink: /blogs/seeds-of-devotion/it-shouldnt-be-like-this
Recent Blog Posts
Julia Attaway is a freelance writer, homeschooler and mother of five. She is the editor of Daily Guideposts: Your First Year of Motherhood, a book of devotions for first-time moms. She lives in New York.
Your Comments
I agree no one is perfect except for the Blessed Lord Jesus and that is what the whole message was that he was trying to teach us I think. I know I don't have any qualms with excepting it. He's perfect and no one else is. That's actually good psychology too. Those who are so tough on themselves and suffer from mental illness and those who are eccentric or grasping for what in theory is unattainable. And that is to be perfect without any flaws. At least in the sense that we know Jesus didn't have any. At least that is what I think. Jesus loved sinners too or he wouldn't have laid down his life so that they could be saved. I think and that is why he chose to do what he did so we could be saved. Since no one else could accomplish that on their own through their own merit. It's sort of like having a friend who can't save themselves for whatever reason but you choose too just because you can. That may be to simple but I think it says something about that in the Bible.
This is the true meaning of Xmas thank you for printing this. Mary
I also wonder why andrew is out of work--I thought he did a wonderful job
All I can say is Hallelujah and Amen! I know exactly how you feel because I have been saying the same thing to myself since the start of this season...it shouldn't be like this...but last Saturday my mother-in-law told me to find someone to pray with, and for some reason I remembered a book I had years ago by Norman Vincent Peale, so I typed his name on the internet and came up with the guideposts website. Ever since then I have been on here everyday reading, learning, praying. This morning as I prayed it suddenly hit me that things aren't perfect but I have GOD and HE is all I need because HE is everything and if things were perfect then I wouldn't need HIM or seek HIM the way that I should. I suddenly felt a huge wave of gratefulness wash over me as I laid there and thanked GOD for sending HIS son. So once again I say, Hallelujah and Amen! GOD has our back because HE did send HIS only son! Hallelujah and Amen!
Why is Andrew out of work? My family and I are faithful readers of Daily Guideposts and appreciate all the hard work he's done editing the book over the years. I am upset to learn he is no longer part of the Guidepost Family.
Hello Julia,
I do understand how you feel. Thankfully at Thanksgiving, my husband got a job after being unemployed almost 2 years. we are still having a lean Christmas, but our adult children seem to appreciate it. After all, Christmas is not about gifts. Our generosity can be our undivided attention to our children, grandchildren, spouses, friends, relatives during this crazy frenzy. My goal is that and to be thankful for all that I do have. Like you, I thought, why is this happening? But like you, I always remembered that I have a humble place to live with running water, food, etc...
Have a Blessed Christmas! Laurie
What a blessing this article was for me! Jesus brought a light into this world...alleluja!
I perfectly understand in these hard economic times why you would feel this way. But, Jesus has assure us that he will never forsake us, we can stand on his word by Faith. Jesus never promised us that once we followed him that we would not have trials and tribulation in this world, but be not dismayed Jesus himself has said he has overcome the world" Amen? Amen. So, you don't have what you want or would like to have but be so ever thankful that God has provided you what you need. Have a Joyus and a Very Merry Christmas.
I can say that I feel the same way...one thing you mentioned was "craving generosity"...I love to give and it is so hard NOT being able to give. It shouldn't be like this...fits too well. Thank you for sharing...it blessed me. Yes, Jesus came to fix the imperfect world by dying for each of us. What I can give is an invitation...to ask Jesus to come into your heart and let Him be your Lord and Savior. He loves you and will never leave nor forsake you! Amen.
I more than understand when times are tough and you're not able to give the ones you love the things they desire.
It is so gratifying to know a better place awaits us, and this journey we are traveling will someday bring us to the perfect place God has waiting for us.
Thanks Julia for your words. My prayers are with you and your family.
So very true. As I face my second Christmas after the death of my husband, and the first year of estrangement from my daughter I try to shake off the lonely feelings and remember that I still have my wonderful son and a dear friend to enjoy my Christmas dinner with. I have my cozy little house and my dog and cats who think the world revolves around me. I have a good job, a car to get there in, and food in my pantry. There are so many in this world who have so much less and have lost so many more loved ones. I have the assurance that I will be with my husband again some day and the faith that the Lord will answer my prayers concerning my daughter. God is good and Jesus is Lord. May all of you have a blessed holiday season. I know I will.
Comment