Growing up my mom always said I was "Lucy", Miss Crabapple. After yesterday, I think she might have been right! I was horribly bothered by not having any Easter dinner plans, family to hang out with, nowhere to go, etc. And I let the whole day be a WASTE....well, maybe not all the way since I got a really long nap in! However, yesterday should have been a celebration of what Christ has done for me through His resurrection. Crabapples aren't part of that celebration at all! This morning I am reflecting back and realizing that I didn't honor Christ in my heart or in my actions. From 1 Peter 1:3-7 "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." I didn't feel like rejoicing yesterday!
I also need to really watch my expectations for these special types of days. I miss having people around me during holidays and celebrations. I am blessed to have great memories growing up with my aunts, uncles and cousins! David's family has never really done anything and it shows through his "Grinch" type of attitude of any special days. This year I even looked for people I could invite over. Everyone, it seems, has their own celebrations with friends and families & it turns out to be a very quiet time. Of course, that doesn't set well with me and I go into "Miss Crabapple" mode.
Time to check the attitude at the door and figure something out that works for everyone!! Ideas? In the meantime, I'm going to have a time of humble pie and coffee with the Lord, asking His forgiveness of my attitude.
6 comments:
When I was pregnant with Braden, who is our third born, we were living with Scott's parents. My mother in law gave me the nickname "Eeyore" because that's who I reminded her of with all of my morning sickness. It used to take me a really long time in the morning to get in a decent mood. (Still does!)
One thing that Beth said last week in her video was "God not only gives us a choice in 'what' we do, but 'how' we do it." We have a choice as to how we are going to walk out this life. Will we do it with a good attitude? Or will we choose to grumble and complain about our situation? I have to check my attitude every day, sometimes multiple times a day.
You are not alone, friend. I'm praying that you have a great week. :)
-Melissa
Crabapples make the BEST jelly, you know...add a little sugar, and boil 'em, and it's the best stuff. So here's my sugar, since it sounds like you already got to the boiling part....
My parents are divorced, so that causes holidays to be loaded with tension, guilt and (this is humbling to say) avoidance. One of the things we've started doing is having Thanksgiving with the same friends every year. They have kids that don't really ever come home, and so they needed "family".
I'm glad you figured out the attitude, and that you have the heart to change it. That's huge! Really.
I think holidays have become "Hallmarky" and carry societal weight. Easter is a glorious celebration of Christ and no matter how hard we try, the eggs and jellybeans encroach.
Wish you lived closer, and our grinchy husbands could go to their caves and we could make fun times!
Sending you tons of hugs from MT.
I'm not sure if they do this in the NW but in the Chicago area where we have a naval training base, families open their homes to young sailors who are far away from home during the holidays. They let them hang out, eat, relax and even call home. Another idea is to volunteer at a homeless shelter or a nursing home on the holidays.
My husband and I have spent most of our married life away from family and we don't socialize with a large group of friends who are available for holiday get togethers. Everyone has their own families. Holidays have been fluid most of our married life with changing traditions as we've grown older. One of the things I enjoy the most is participating in the local angel tree every year. It brings me such joy to purchase someone's wishes who can't afford them. I also pick a little girl so I can buy her dolls and we always try to pick a senior citizen who always need coats and gloves. It helps when you don't live near family. I try to keep a wise saying in my head...it helps me with my expectations. It goes like this.
Our disappointments are measured by the distance between our expectations and reality. Good luck and I've always thought crab apple trees were lovely in their own special way.
I understand why you were upset, especially when you grew up surrounded with family. Wish I lived closer, I would of come over:)
The nap sounds nice though!
Thank you for sharing your attitude. I have to daily surrender my attitude to Christ. Usually several times a day! I am so glad that forgiveness is ours for the asking.
I understand completely. Growing up and when my kids were little there was alot of extended family around during the holidays. Over the years that has changed considerably.
I try to accept changes in my life and welcome all the newness that each phase brings. I agree, it's different and a lot of times hard. My only suggestion would be that if you know you will be sad being alone or not with a big group, next year plan ahead with some friends to keep yourself busy for the day.
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