Tuesday, January 3, 2017

trying to put toothpaste back in the tube
















After little prayer, but a lot of listening to what the spirit had to say, we had a great Christmas holiday.  In the past we have had many great ones, but something special this year took place, and it wasn’t until talking with a friend about his traditions at Christmas, I realized our new tradition was no tradition at all.  My sons are both older with careers, and making families, and starting their own traditions, and it is with great joy I watch.  No hurt feelings, no boredom of when are we going to do what Grandpa used to do when no one wants to do it, and it turned into a special time for all.  I was reminded of some who must spend a set amount on another person, and while they see a limit, I am glad I can spend what I want, when I want.  Not hemmed in by only $50, or whatever.  And I can give to whom I want, and they can give the same way.  For the first time in decades we missed the traditional Christmas service, and seeing those we only saw once a year there.  I know the Christmas story, and the one who it is named after, we avoided the rush, the stress, and the retelling this year, rather living the love he showed to others.  And showing it to others.  And letting them share it with us.  A tradition we share every day. 
We didn’t spend big, but thoughtful, and it seems we were all on the same wavelength this year.  Only one novelty gift, a dog treat shooter was given, no word from the dog, but the owner likes it.  Maybe the best $5 spent this year.  We had fun shopping, found Black Friday deals up until the 24th, bought most online at reduced rates, and found little or no stress in the season.  We ate Italian on Christmas Day, Mexican on Christmas Eve, and only did one traditional thing, make it two, the whole week.  Monkey bread on Christmas morning is a must, and we opened one present on Christmas Eve, my son’s girlfriend couldn’t wait for what they got me, and the gift we each shared was the same book.  Which set the tone for fun.....Lots of laughter, music, listening to old records, sleeping in, and making breakfast, old movies shared, old Christmas memories shared, and new ones made.  We started a new tradition, we honored Jesus without rules, loved others in his name, had fun in his name, and stayed away from anything that smelled like tradition.  It was time for a change, maybe overdue, and we had the best time, I hope you did too.  We kept the Christ child, and the Christ adult in the day’s events, just like we do everyday, and found freedom in living for him, with him, and without all the seasonal nonsense.  We had fun....and what good is fun if you don’t enjoy it? 
Many live as Christians in traditions, bound by religion, and stuck in a rut, doing the same thing over and over, hoping for a different result.  The field of psychology calls it insanity, and maybe that explains the craziness of Christmas, and why too many are as nutty as the fruitcake they get or give each year.  Stuck in traditions, they never get to experience the things God has to offer, and think this is all there is.   They are like the ones trying to herd cats, and ending up without one cat, with the cats looking at them like they are crazy.  It is like trying to put toothpaste back in the tube, once it is out it won’t go back.  It is like trying to make a bad time into a good one, to be more religious, putting more seasoning in the greeting, and hoping the New Year gets here soon so they can go back to work, and count the days until the next holiday.  Tradition, routines, out of their own control, and miserable, they again prepare for the next one, once again for the very first time.  When God has so much more to offer, if only they, us, would listen to what the spirit says.
Yet many stayed up late on Christmas Eve trying to herd the last cat, or replace the last bit of toothpaste into the tube, and miss the blessings of the holiday, or of everyday.  In the beginning, God rested after 6 days, not from being tired, but to enjoy and celebrate what he had created, setting the tone for us.  And we should do the same, as his most treasured creation, we should rest in him, in his spirit, and enjoy the things he created for us.  He knows what we like, what we need, and wants us to have the joy of Jesus all the time, into eternity.  He doesn’t limit his giving like some do to a set amount, but gives freely, are we listening?  We were reminded at Dustin Arms how much a $10 t shirt meant over a $50 dress one.  How the time spent couldn’t match the gifts given, and the fellowship is what we remember, not the gift, but the giver.  Do we know God like that?  Do we treasure our fellowship with him, the time spent, or are we only good until the next church service?  Do we mutter when putting money in the Salvation Army pot?  Do we go into debt each year buying things for people we don’t like, and who don’t like us?  And getting the same from them?  Maybe we all are a little insane...
So this year, no tradition except Jesus, led by his spirit.  Many people have left us this year, but also many new ones have come into our lives.  Each with a story to tell, and traditions to honor.  But as we all get closer to God, we see the only tradition we need is love, so spend time with Jesus this year, starting today.  Listen to what the spirit says, and begin enjoying your walk with him.  Upset your church by trusting God and breaking out of religious control, running into old friends last night, we were both sharing how we go to church because we want to, not because we have to.  And we should walk with Jesus the same way.  I never tire of the Christmas story, or of Christmas time, but it is time to forego the past, and look to the future, where we will spend it, and realize we can have it on earth as it is in heaven.  Still mired in tradition, caught a few cats but the rest avoid you, and still trying to replace the toothpaste?  Get a new tube, turn on the can opener and the cats will come, and open your heart to the holy spirit.  That abundant life Jesus promises may be right in front of you, only you are too traditional to notice.  Jesus gives us a new covenant, based on who he is, not what we did, and based on what he did, not on who we are.  If it were all about money, God would have made us all millionaires, but he made it all about his son, the person it is named after.  No other person changed history, changed lives, and loves like him.  Today start applying what you know to who you know, and when you know Jesus, it will be love.  While others looked with disdain to the Christmas service, while some churches debated to have Sunday service since Christmas fell on a Sunday this year, while some churches shut down for the season, we celebrated, and continue to.  The more rules, the more chances to sin, the more traditions, the more chances for stress.  If Christmas Day, the day of Christ only happens once a year in your life, trust him today.  And begin receiving all the gifts he has for you, for he loves us.  And don’t bother asking, he knows, and like he told me, “if you ask for it, it isn’t a gift, and I like to give good gifts.”  The spirit is moving, from contemporary services to worship music, from church attire to service times.  Man plans, God laughs.  Which is an out loud smile.  Laugh today, enjoy the joy of the Lord, trust him and be blessed.  Or you could spend time in the return line at Costco....returning the same gift you did last year, and the year before.  Living in the spirit, suddenly it all makes sense.  And why cats cannot be herded, and why they don’t use toothpaste....
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com