Excitement and anticipation should be rising, as we will soon be entering the 4th week of Advent. Christmas is almost here! Yet the stress of getting everything ready can easily be overwhelming. Often we expect that our family will instinctively know what we need or need help with. For some, it is hard to ask for assistance. For others, they just bark out orders. Either way, stress can lead to both anger and resentment among family members and those feelings don’t do much to make Christmas merry or create family unity!
The only One who knows what we want and need without us asking is our Lord. But even He expects that we ask for what we need.
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:8-9
So with expectant faith, ask your family for what you need. Ask for help, ask for someone’s company, or ask how you can help.
And with expectant faith, ask the Lord to bless your family. Ask that He heal any old hurts, disunity, or estrangements. Ask that He take away any grudges or deep-seated anger. Name each family member in prayer, and ask that the Lord give them exactly what He knows they need. And when you gather with family for your Christmas celebration, pray together. Then ask them to continue to pray for the family every Friday :).
Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet
