The Obligation

Happy Holidays! It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year! Season Greetings! Oh, and Happy New Year! I certainly pray that I capture the moment with the cliché phrases we hear for at least 60 Days in the Fall/Winter Season.

Let me try to hit a few things because the "Happy Holiday" season hits different for many. As a child I was treated to see all colors of Santa, beautiful trees decorated, homes lit up, smells of pine/balsam, and all types of great smelling foods. Then there was growing up on the church scene. The focus was nativity, brown paper sacks with fruit/nuts/peppermint, singing carols at nursing homes, 6am Christmas Day Worship, breakfast with family after church, then the nap before Christmas lunch/dinner. Down through the years singing Walk in the Light with battery operated candles while walking down the aisle took a different meaning from 11 yrs old until early adulthood singing in the choir. Of course there are the societal arguments about the true birth date of Jesus and why Christians celebrate Christmas (another blog for another day). Another focus of society teaching us the time leading up to Thanksgiving through New Year is most depressing for most persons globally. Hmmm, is it really the Most Wonderful Time of the Year?

Mindset is one of my favorite words and/or concepts. I believe we can adapt to anything we choose if willing. My niece and I share a painful memory of the date 12/26. My paternal grandmother passed 12/26/95 and her paternal grandfather passed away 12/16/19. Of course I am older and have had some time to deal with things however I expressed to her if you pray, counsel, busy yourself and keep the great memories you can press through the pain and hurt. Some people choose to linger in those moments of "woe it is me". Do you want to be encouraged?

In 2006, I experienced what I felt was the worse moment in life. Nine months of watching my dad suffer only to pass months short of the holiday season. For years after that I focused on my triggers rather than healthy thoughts to get through the holidays. I focused on the triggers because it gave me permission to not be accountable for anything. I could dwell on his presence being missed, hurtful, and just dreadful. These moments afforded me time to do whatever I desired to get through the season of my bitterness. NOPE, not healthy hence my teaching focus for this particular writing. I can laugh about this today for several reasons because that depressing stuff was not a characteristic of my dad at all. I have one of his greatest qualities "stopping cold turkey". In 2017, I decided ENOUGH! I wanted to enjoy my family, friends, watching movies, crafting, and just fun things to do during the most wonderful time of the year. I wanted to do the things I prayed for other regarding. I was diligent about prayer and intentional for someone else's request yet neglecting my own.

MONICA, this is crap! What if it isn't that simple? Oh, my Dearest Reader, it is! The beauty of it all is free will. God gives us free will. Therefore you have to use the mindset of being ready to decree your change NOW! I want you to grieve healthy, as people with hope and not fall into the rabbit hole of society standards. Think about the strength you carry as the one left behind and ask God for the stamina to do so. Create what you want to experience to express and identify with for the Happy Holiday Season! I look forward to back to back celebrations with family/friends, travel, good food, reasons to laugh boisterously just because, and too stay out late night wholesome gatherings folks of all ages.

Let me throw the ultimate reason for such strength. The Lord has allowed us to live one more day and holiday season. We should feel honored to serve and celebrate Our Lord! I encourage you to intentionally start something new and healthy because giving thanks and celebrating Our Lord's existence makes this time even better. Our Lord, The Wonderful Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace is The Obligation. He is the light that overcomes any darkness, sinless substitute, risen Savior, and reigning King. These names of reference are powerful when you need a mindset change for deliverance, a friend, a parent, a companion, a home, good health & great provision or anything you have suffered a loss for. Call on His name and receive power! Obligate yourself to trust Him, depend on Him, seek Him and not the ways of man or society. There is balance to be found and therapy as well. However, the foundation for many is Christ, based on your upbringing. Obligate yourself to healthy mindset pressing on never to linger in depression again because you now know better. The formula is simple obligate yourself to The Obligation!

From this day and years to come choose happiness, sanity, and most importantly Our Savior. He is the only one in my world who can assist you wholeheartedly to pull and push you through. If you find yourself sinking into sadness, drifting away in the negative vibe, not showing yourself grace to briefly think and pull up for the positive thought, remember Jesus! Peace, Hope, Joy, and Love are the outcome and great memories for these things alone we are thankful and make it The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!